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Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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TRACK RECORD: When the 2020-21 international signing period opened on Jan. 15, Guilarte was one of three prominent Venezuelan shortstops the Brewers signed at the top of their class, along with Jackson Bryan Chourio and Gregory Barrios.
SCOUTING REPORT: Compared to Barrios, Guilarte is a bit more physically advanced right now but with good strength projection remaining in his wiry 6-foot-1, 165-pound frame. His tools have already started to trend up over the past year, as he's now a plus runner and flashing a plus arm with the defensive actions to stay at shortstop. Guilarte has good bat-to-ball skills and a solid idea of the strike zone for his age. He has the bat speed and strength projection to grow into more than his present gap power, though his swing is geared more for low line drives than loft.
THE FUTURE: Guilarte’s tools have trended up over the past year, but he’s still 17 and a long way from the majors. He will make his pro debut in 2021. -
TRACK RECORD: The Brewers signed a trio of Venezuelan shortstops at the top of their 2020-21 international class that opened on Jan. 15, 2021, including Barrios, one of the best defensive shortstops in his class.
SCOUTING REPORT: Barrios is a smooth, instinctive defender who is light on his feet with good body control, soft hands and fluid actions. An average runner, Barrios has a good internal clock, especially for his age, with a strong arm that projects to be above-average. He has added strength over the last couple of years with some more physical projection to dream on to help grow his current gap power. He's a switch-hitter who is better from the right side, with a sharp eye for the strike zone, good bat-to-ball skills and a line-drive approach.
THE FUTURE: Barrios is a promising shortstop prospect, but he is still far away with a lot to prove. He will get his first professional experience in 2021. -
TRACK RECORD: Outfielder Hedbert Perez led a Venezuelan-heavy international class for the Brewers in 2019. In their next class—moved from July, 2, 2020 to start on Jan. 15, 2021—the Brewers again were strongly focused on Venezuelan prospects, led by the signing of Chourio.
SCOUTING REPORT: Chourio has a lean, athletic frame with exciting tools now and physical projection for them to get better with strength gains. He has a quick-twitch explosion that shows up in his bat speed, helping him drive the ball with surprising carry off his bat for a wiry teenager, especially to the opposite field. He drives the ball with impact already and could grow into plus power, with a mature approach for his age with his ability to recognize offspeed, use the whole field and make consistent contact in games. He's at least a plus runner now, making him a potential power/speed threat in the middle of the diamond. Chourio has seen time at shortstop and center field, with the Brewers planning to develop him as a shortstop. His offensive game is ahead of his defense, so he could still end up in center field.
THE FUTURE: Chourio isn’t as advanced as Perez was at the same stage, but his tools already make him one of the Brewers’ most promising prospects at the lower levels. He will make his pro debut in 2021. -
TRACK RECORD: Montero was the Yankees’ highest profile signing in the class, and was among a highly talented class of shortstops from the Dominican Republic. He trained with Jaime Ramos.
SCOUTING REPORT: Montero isn’t the biggest player, but he shows a simple, direct swing and a line-drive approach to all fields now, and has a body that can add more strength as he grows and matures. His power should increase if that happens, but he’s likely to always be a player who projects for more hittability than power. In the field, Montero is a smooth defender, with easy actions in the field. He reads hops well, shows solid body control and a plus, accurate arm when compared to other players his age. He’s also an above-average runner, which should help him stick at shortstop.
THE FUTURE: Montero is likely to start his career in the Dominican Summer League and joins a strong group of young Latin American prospects the Yankees have in the lower levels of the minor leagues. -
TRACK RECORD: By age, Cuban shortstop Yiddi Cappe was eligible to sign in the 2019 class. However, with teams having already committed such large chunks of their bonus pools to other players by the time Cappe became eligible to sign, he instead opted to wait an extra year (or what turned out to be an extra 18 months) to sign with the Marlins in the 2020 class when the new bonus pools kicked in on Jan. 15, 2021.
SCOUTING REPORT: Cappe is a lanky, thin-framed 6-foot-3 shortstop with athletic, quick-twitch actions, particularly in the field, with the ingredients to develop into a plus defender. He's a slick defender with quick, soft hands who is light on his feet, especially for his size. Cappe moves around with ease at shortstop, showing good body control and actions, with a quick transfer to a plus arm and smooth turns on the double-play pivot. He's an above-average runner for now, though he could lose a step as he fills out. Cappe stands out the most for his defense, as a long-levered hitter who needs more work to be on time and in sync at the plate.
THE FUTURE: The strength he's added over the past year has helped his bat speed and ability to drive the ball with more impact during batting practice, showing the potential for 20-plus home runs at a premium defensive position. -
TRACK RECORD: Vera is the son of Norge Luis Vera, who starred in Cuba in the late 1990s and early 2000s and won the Serie Nacional MVP in 1999-2000. The younger Vera pitched on the Cuban junior national team as a teenager and in a U23 tournament in Panama. He signed with the White Sox in February for a bonus of $1.5 million, carrying on the team’s line of Cuban signings.
SCOUTING REPORT: Vera’s fastball sits around 90-95 and can touch a few ticks higher, topping at 97. After struggling initially at showcases, scouts were concerned about Vera’s command and offspeed pitches. Since then, Vera has tweaked some of his mechanics and made changes to his arsenal, including shelving his split-fingered fastball. Now, the evaluators who like him the most favor his slider as his best offspeed pitch and saw a feel for a changeup as well.
THE FUTURE: Vera has gotten stronger since before he signed and also has a solid feel for pitching. He’s likely to start in the Dominican Summer League. -
TRACK RECORD: The younger brother of Yoenis Cespedes, Yoelqui has a long history of playing in international events, including representing Cuba at the 2017 World Baseball Classic. After leaving Cuba, he trained in Florida but the pandemic-related ban on in-person scouting meant not many clubs went in to see him. Many teams had already committed their pool money at that point, too. He signed with the White Sox for just north of $2 million.
SCOUTING REPORT: Because he is 23 years old and hasn’t been evaluated in person recently, it’s hard to know what to expect from Cespedes once he debuts. He’s a short, strong player who can drive the ball with plenty of impact, especially to the opposite field, because of good bat speed and solid-average raw power. There’s also some pause because he was never truly a standout in Cuba, and his aggressive approach and swing path could lead to plenty of swing and miss. He’s a plus runner once he gets underway and shows a plus arm in the outfield as well. He could hold his own as a center fielder, but his most likely home is on a corner—which is where he played most often in Cuba—with Luis Robert entrenched there for Chicago.
THE FUTURE: More than anything, Cespedes needs to get reps, especially against players his own age. Once that happens, he could move rather quickly. -
Hitting: 50. Power: 50. Run: 40. Fielding: 55. Arm: 60.
TRACK RECORD: The younger brother of Cubs catcher Willson Contreras, William impressed in the South Atlantic League as a 20-year-old in 2018 before advancing to Double-A Mississippi in 2019. His improved defensive focus allowed the Braves to feel comfortable calling him up for his major league debut in July after both Travis d’Arnaud and Tyler Flowers showed coronavirus symptoms.
SCOUTING REPORT: Contreras is a solid athlete for a catcher, has a strong throwing arm and shows plus raw power at the plate. He previously struggled with consistency and focus as a defender, but he made massive strides in 2020 spring training and throughout the year. He worked hard to improve his defense with catching coordinator J.D. Closser to the point where some now believe he could become a plus defender. He moves well behind the plate and has improved as both a receiver and blocker. At the plate, Contreras has the raw power to homer to all fields, but most of his in-game power has gone to his pull side. He has a tendency to chase at times, but generally puts together quality at-bats with a good two-strike approach.
THE FUTURE: Contreras may be ready for an expanded major league role in 2021. He has a chance to become an everyday catcher as long as his defensive improvements hold. -
TRACK RECORD: The Phillies made a big splash by signing Perez, who headlines the team’s 2020-2021 international class. Perez was one of the top catchers available on the market and signed for $1.2 million from the same Venezuelan program that produced righthander Francisco Morales.
SCOUTING REPORT: Perez’s stock has risen as he’s grown taller and stronger, getting up to 6-foot-1, 165 pounds. He has a smooth, fluid stroke from the left side and a knack for barreling balls in games, while staying balanced throughout his swing and using the whole field. He has a chance to grow into average or better power thanks to his ability to generate loft and his bat control. Perez has developed an average arm to go with solid catch-and-throw skills behind the plate.
THE FUTURE: Perez improved his throwing ability, making it more likely he can stick behind the plate long term. He’ll likely get his first assignment in the Dominican Summer League. -
TRACK RECORD: A Venezuelan shortstop who trained in the Dominican Republic as an amateur, De Andrade was one of the early standouts in the 2020-21 international class, joining the Twins when the signing period opened on Jan. 15.
SCOUTING REPORT: De Andrade performed well in games before signing, showing a short, fast swing with an advanced approach for his age to use the whole field. As he's gotten stronger, his power has trended up from more of a line-drive hitter with doubles pop to now being able to hit the ball out of the park in games, with a chance for above-average power as he continues his physical maturity. A below-average runner, De Andrade reads the ball well off the bat at shortstop, where he has quick actions, good body awareness and plays under control. He has the arm strength for the left side of the infield, though some scouts think he might outgrow shortstop and end up at third base.
THE FUTURE: De Andrade is one of the Twins' most promising infield prospects at the lower levels, though he's still years away from the big leagues. He will make his pro debut in 2021. -
TRACK RECORD: Aponte wasn’t a high-profile prospect coming out of Venezuela when he signed with the Blue Jays on Jan. 15, but he could end up one of the better values of the international class.
SCOUTING REPORT: Aponte has a chance for five average or better tools that play up because of his instincts, especially in center field. With solid-average speed and arm strength, Aponte is a diligent, focused worker when it comes to his defensive craft and it shows in games. He's not a burner, but he reads the ball well off the bat, has a quick first step and glides to balls in both gaps with efficient routes and diving catches. He has performed well against live pitching too, making frequent contact with good strike-zone judgment, a lot of line drives and surprising power from his 5-foot-11 frame.
THE FUTURE: He’s a long way from Toronto, but Aponte has a chance to break out and raise his stock once more scouts are able to see him play in 2021. -
TRACK RECORD: Beltre was the headline prospect of Toronto’s 2020-21 international class when he signed with the Blue Jays on Jan. 15, 2021. Beltre became well known prior to signing, documenting his daily training and highlights for years on his Instagram account of nearly 70,000 followers.
SCOUTING REPORT: One of the best hitters in his international signing class, Beltre is a baseball rat with a lot of in-game experience relative to his peers, which shows in his advanced understanding of the game. Beltre doesn't have one tool that jumps out as plus, but his game skills and pure hitting ability are promising. His swing is short and simple with a direct path to the ball, making frequent contact against live pitching with a good eye at the plate and ability to control the strike zone. He has good leverage in his swing and can drive the ball out to his pull side, but his offensive game is built more around his on-base skills than slugging. Beltre has transformed his body as he's grown taller with more strength and athleticism. He's an average runner who should play somewhere in the middle infield, where he's a fundamentally sound defender with soft hands, good footwork and a chance for an average to a tick better arm with good accuracy.
THE FUTURE: Beltre enters the 2021 season still 16, but his hitting ability and instincts could have him in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League soon with a chance to move quickly. -
TRACK RECORD: As an amateur in the Dominican Republic, Morrobel earned a reputation as one of the best pure hitters in the country. He was the Rangers' top acquisition when the 2020-21 international signing period opened on Jan. 15.
SCOUTING REPORT: Morrobel has a lean, athletic build and innate barrel control from the left side. He has good bat speed and makes frequent contact against live pitching, squaring up good velocity with the ability to recognize spin well for his age. It's a high-contact approach geared to put the ball in play and spread the ball around the field. His gap power has started to trend up as he's gotten stronger and he has the physical projection to hit 20-plus home runs in the future, though right now it's more of a hit-over-power offensive game. Morrobel is athletic and a slightly above-average runner who could start in center field, though his body type suggests he will end up more physical and lose a step, which would shift him to a corner. He has at least a plus arm now that would fit in right field.
THE FUTURE: Morrobel earns high marks for his bat, but he’s still a teenager who needs to be tested against better competition. He will get his first taste of pro ball in 2021. -
TRACK RECORD: For some scouts, Colmenarez was the best player in the 2020-21 international signing class. He's a well-rounded player who has the unusual mix of explosiveness and great tools combined with easy actions on both sides of the ball at a premium position.
SCOUTING REPORT: Colmenarez has a pretty lefthanded swing that's compact, efficient and stays through the hitting zone for a long time, helping him make frequent contact and drive the ball to all fields. It's a calm, easy swing with good rhythm and balance. He has generally performed well in games, though there are times when he could benefit from tighter plate discipline. Even though Colmenarez is not that big (5-foot-10, 175 pounds), he's strong for his size with above-average bat speed, leading to above-average raw power. He has toyed around with hitting from the right side, which might be an option, but just from the left side he could develop into a plus hitter with plus power. An average runner, Colmenarez projects to stick at shortstop. He's a smooth defender with a quick first step, good lateral agility, footwork and body control. He has soft, quick hands, exchanging the ball swiftly to an arm that earns plus to plus-plus grades.
THE FUTURE: Like everyone else in the 2020-21 signing class, Colmenarez has yet to play a game in pro ball yet, but he has all the attributes in place to develop into an impact player. -
TRACK RECORD: Bernal was the top prospect from Panama in the 2020 class and one of the top catchers in Latin America with a lengthy track record of success. Bernal was the catcher for Panama at the 2016 Little League World Series. Two years later, he represented Panama again at the U-15 World Cup in his home country, winning a silver medal at 14 as the youngest hitter on the team.
SCOUTING REPORT: Bernal has a strong, Wilson Ramos-type build at 6 feet, 200 pounds and projects to stick behind the plate with a chance to be an above-average defender. His catch-and-throw skills are advanced for his age, with good agility, blocking and receiving skills to go with a plus arm. He also earns high marks for his leadership skills and overall baseball smarts. Bernal is a patient hitter who manages his at-bats well to get on base with the strength to drive the ball for damage from both sides of the plate.
THE FUTURE: Upon officially signing, Bernal immediately became one of the better catching prospects in a Cardinals system that has plenty of promising backstops. -
TRACK RECORD: Velasquez, who signed with the Giants for $900,000 once the delayed international period opened on Jan. 15, 2021, grew quite a bit during the scouting process. When it began, he was 5-foot-10. On signing day, he’d jumped to 6-foot-1 and weighed in at 162 pounds.
SCOUTING REPORT: Even with the growth, Velasquez still projects to stay at shortstop. He’s wiry and athletic with soft hands and plenty of arm strength for either position on the left side of the infield. The switch-hitting infielder shows a contact-oriented swing and a line-drive approach from both sides of the plate, but has begun to drive the ball better as he’s gained size and strength. He’s an above-average runner. Velasquez trained with both his father and Ronny Cedeno in Venezuela.
THE FUTURE: Velasquez gives the Giants another young, talented Venezuelan shortstop at the lowest levels of their system, joining Aeverson Arteaga and Anthony Rodriguez, who both signed in the 2019 class but had their chance at an official pro debut wiped out by the pandemic. -
TRACK RECORD: From an early age, Aguilar stood out as one of the best pure hitters in the 2020 class. Aguilar trained with Rudy Santin, whose program also produced Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers and Rays shortstop Wander Franco, and Aguilar is another advanced hitter with a sweet lefthanded stroke.
SCOUTING REPORT: Aguilar has a fluid, compact swing with a tight turn and clean path, getting the barrel on plane early and staying through the hitting zone for a long time. He stays calm and balanced, staying through the ball well to hit to all fields with good game performance. He has plenty of bat speed too, driving balls out of the park now with the projection for future plus power, though he's still a hit-first player who happens to also have power. There's a lot to like with Aguilar in the batter's box, with a chance for a middle-of-the-order hitter, though his defensive future is murkier. He spent time as an amateur training at shortstop, but he's built like Devers and has already moved to third base. The dedication he's had over the past year to shed excess weight shows in his improved conditioning, something he's always going to have to monitor.
THE FUTURE: Like Devers was at this age, Aguilar has a chance to stay at third base if his footwork and range improve, though there's some risk he could end up at first base. -
TRACK RECORD: The Padres signed one of the top pitchers in the international class in Lizarraga, who trained at the Mazatlan academy in Mexico.
SCOUTING REPORT: He's 6-foot-4, 180 pounds, with a ton of room on his long, lean frame to add weight and throw harder. Last year he pitched at 88-93, with a chance to throw in the mid 90s or better in the near future. He has a starter's repertoire with feel for two secondary offerings, led by a mid-to-upper 70s curveball with good shape and depth that's a potential out pitch, along with a solid changeup for his age. Lizarraga's feel for pitching is also advanced for his peer group.
THE FUTURE: Though still years away, Lizarraga’s knack for pitching could allow him to move more quickly than others in his age group. He will make his pro debut this summer in 2021. -
TRACK RECORD: Zavala was one of the better pure hitters in the international class. He's still 16 until July 15, making him one of the younger players in the class, but his baseball IQ is advanced for his age, especially at the plate.
SCOUTING REPORT: Zavala has a loose, rhythmic stroke from the left side with good sequence. Zavala has a knack for barreling the ball against live pitching, driving the ball well the opposite way already. As he's gotten stronger, he's added more power with the loft in his swing to tap into in games. If everything clicks for Zavala, he could end up with above-average hit and power tools, which would fit well in either corner spot. The Padres have challenged Zavala to work at his speed, though, and he's an average runner now, so he should get reps in center field as well as the corners. He moves around well in the outfield and has good instincts with a 55 arm that could become plus as he gets stronger.
THE FUTURE: While he probably goes to a corner long term, the attributes are in place for him to develop into an above-average defender there. Zavala will make his pro debut in 2021 in the Dominican Summer League. -
TRACK RECORD: Charles boosted his stock considerably in 2019, striking out 93 batters in 62.1 innings of relief between three levels, topping out at Double-A Midland. He spent 2020 pitching at both Oakland’s alternate training site and fall instructional league, showcasing the best fastball of any pitcher in Oakland’s system.
SCOUTING REPORT: The hard-throwing righty regularly sat between 96-98 mph and occasionally touched triple-digits at both the alternate site and instructs in 2020. He pairs his imposing fastball with an above-average, late-breaking slider he’s capable of throwing in any count, and also features a work-in-progress changeup. Charles generates plenty of whiffs but also issues a concerning amount of free passes (16% walk rate in 2019). The A’s worked with him in 2020 to reduce the head tilt and stay more on line in his delivery in the hopes it will result in more strikes thrown, especially with his off-speed pitches.
THE FUTURE: Improved command and a continued refinement of his delivery are keys for Charles in 2021. If he throws more strikes, he could help Oakland’s bullpen by the end of the year. -
TRACK RECORD: Thomas was a sought-after quarterback prospect in high school, opting to attend Oklahoma and play both football and baseball. He didn’t spend an overwhelming amount of time on the field in either sport, mostly serving as Baker Mayfield’s backup and playing one full baseball season. But Thomas showed enough to entice the Dodgers in the 13th round of the 2016 draft, signing for an above-slot $297,500 bonus. Oakland acquired him in February alongside Adam Kolarek in a trade with the Dodgers, sending Sheldon Neuse and Gus Varland to Los Angeles.
SCOUTING REPORT: A lack of reps in college coupled with the lost 2020 season means Thomas is much more raw than a typical 26-year-old. But he has shown immense raw left-handed power, hitting 23 homers for Double-A Tulsa in 2019. There’s length to Thomas’ swing that results in a considerable amount of swing-and-miss. The A’s are impressed with Thomas’ combination of athleticism and physicality and believe he can handle all three outfield positions, although his average speed is more likely suited for a corner spot.
THE FUTURE: Consistent upper-level at-bats are needed for Thomas, who fits the mold of a powerful, athletic lefty bat the A’s covet. -
TRACK RECORD: Dominican center fielder Pedro Pineda stood out early in the scouting process as one of the top players in the 2020 international class while training with Nube. The A’s made him their top international target in the class.
SCOUTING REPORT: Pineda has a strong but lean, broad-shouldered frame (6-foot-1, 180 pounds) with physical projection remaining and has one of the best combinations of power and speed for a 2020 international prospect. He's a quick-twitch athlete with explosive actions in the batter's box and in the field, showing plus-plus speed at his best. His barrel whips through the zone with excellent bat speed, generating plus raw power that could still tick up as he adds on more strength. Pineda shines in a workout setting and scouts highest on him saw him perform well against live pitching. There were times when his swing had extra length and loop to the ball, though he has worked to cut down on that to improve his bat path.
FUTURE: Pineda has the speed and above-average arm strength to project in center field as long as he can maintain most of his speed and athleticism once he packs on more size. -
TRACK RECORD: Dominican shortstop Armando Cruz received the biggest bonus for a 16-year-old player in the 2020-21 class, signing for $3.9 million on Jan. 15, the day before his 17th birthday.
SCOUTING REPORT: Cruz is one of the best defensive shortstops that many international scouts said they have ever seen his age in Latin America. He fields the ball like a magician, with extremely quick, secure hands and a quick transfer to his plus arm. Cruz is light on his feet, charges well on the slow roller and has a knack for making the flashy play look routine, getting quick reads off the bat with the ability to react to bad hops. He fields grounders between his legs and does other similar ball tricks on the run for fun in practice, but beyond the flash is an extremely instinctive player who makes the routine plays and the ones with a higher degree of difficulty. Cruz earns consistent future projections as a plus defender and a player who could develop into a truly elite fielder. His speed has also improved, going from below-average wheels when a lot of teams were scouting him to a slightly above-average runner now. While there's strong consensus on Cruz's glove, there's less certainty on him at the plate. Many scouts viewed Cruz as a hitter who would likely hit toward the bottom of a lineup, but the Nationals were, obviously, on the higher end, seeing his hitting ability trend up over time. Getting stronger has helped Cruz drive the ball with more authority than he was early on, though he doesn't project to be a big power threat. His instincts for the game assist him at the plate, with some of the best baseball smarts in the class.
THE FUTURE: Cruz’s defensive tools could carry him up the minor league ladder, but he’ll look to develop his offensive game as he makes his professional debut this summer. -
TRACK RECORD: For a long time, Venezuelan catcher Jesus Galiz was expected to sign with the Yankees, but the Dodgers ended up signing him instead. After signing with the Dodgers he spent a month in Arizona, where he was able to get work catching bullpens for pitchers in the organization getting ready for spring training.
SCOUTING REPORT: Galiz is one of the top catchers in the class, with a promising bat for the position. He has hit well in games in Venezuela, showing the ability to recognize spin, control the strike zone and put the ball in play consistently with a line-drive approach and a chance for 15-20 home run power once he gets stronger. Galiz is a good bet to stick behind the dish where he's quick, flexible and agile with soft hands, good receiving skills and an average arm.
THE FUTURE: The Dodgers have an assembly line that keeps producing productive catchers with Will Smith at the major league level, Keibert Ruiz not far away and Diego Cartaya on the rise. Galiz gives them another backstop with solid MLB potential. -
TRACK RECORD: With catcher Diego Cartaya in 2018 and outfielder Luis Rodriguez in 2019, the Dodgers signed the top ranked Venezuelan prospect two years in a row. In their 2020 class, they signed Diaz, who along with Rays shortstop Carlos Colmenarez is a player several scouts considered one of the top players in Venezuela in this class. Diaz trained with Alexis Quiroz, the same program where the Dodgers signed Cartaya and 2019 catcher Yeiner Fernandez, so the Dodgers had scouted Diaz from a young age.
SCOUTING REPORT: Diaz has a good balance of tools, skills, athleticism and physical upside. He's 6-foot-2, 165 pounds with a loose, low-effort swing, good bat speed and plate discipline with good performance in games. He hits for power in games too, showing the ability to backspin balls to the pull side and drive the ball with impact to the opposite field as well. He still has a lean, athletic frame with a lot of space to fill out, so his power should climb once he gets stronger. Diaz also has the athleticism and actions to give him a good chance to stay at shortstop. He takes pride in his speed, which has improved to a plus tool, and he plays under control in the field with good hands, footwork and an above-average arm.
THE FUTURE: Diaz has multiple paths to becoming a productive pro player with offensive potential and a high likelihood of staying in the infield. -
TRACK RECORD: When he began to be scouted, Vazquez was a skinny 5-foot-9 shortstop who lacked strength, but he has shot up to 6-foot-2, 158 pounds and has turned into one of the top players in the class from the Dominican Republic.
SCOUTING REPORT: Even before his growth spurt, Vazquez had good actions on both sides of the ball, attributes that are still intact. He has significant physical upside with a lot of space left to fill out his lean, wiry frame as his tools continue to improve. Vazquez has a good bat path from the right side, keeping the bat in the hitting zone for a long time with good contact skills and a line-drive approach. While other hitters his age often get pull happy, Vazquez stays through the ball well to drive the ball to the middle of the field. The strength projection in his frame suggests a player who could grow into 20-plus home run power in the future. He's a below-average runner, and while projecting speed gains is tricky, he has the body type and athleticism where he could still get faster. Even if he doesn't, he has the ability to stay at shortstop, with easy actions, good footwork and body control, ranging well to both sides and coming in on the ball. He flashes a plus arm already that could tick up a grade once he gets stronger.
THE FUTURE: There’s plenty of projection left with Vazquez, but with his baseball acumen and growth spurt, he has a chance to be an impact player both at the plate and in the field. -
TRACK RECORD: The biggest bonus for any player in the 2020-21 international class went to Pedro Leon, a 22-year-old Cuban outfielder the Astros signed for $4 million.
SCOUTING REPORT: Leon packs loud tools into a short, muscular frame. He has a short, slight uppercut swing with the strength and bat speed to drive the ball with plus raw power, hitting balls out from the middle of the field over to his pull side. Leon performed well in his limited playing time in Cuba's top league, Serie Nacional. When he came to the Dominican Republic, he hit well against live pitching, though in a very abbreviated sample size that not many teams saw, so he still needs to be tested against better and more age-appropriate competition. Leon is a plus runner who could stay in center field if he's able to maintain his speed, with a plus-plus arm that might be his best tool. The Astros have also experimented with him getting reps as a middle infielder as well.
THE FUTURE: Leon has a promising tool set, though he still needs to be evaluated against more advanced opponents given his age. He will get that opportunity during his minor league debut in 2021. -
TRACK RECORD: The Tigers signed two prominent shortstops in their 2020-21 international class on Jan. 15, 2021, landing Cristian Santana from the Dominican Republic and Abel Bastidas from Venezuela.
SCOUTING REPORT: Basidas has a long, lanky frame with smooth defense at shortstop. Some scouts thought Bastidas might outgrow the position and end up at third base, but others thought as long as he stayed lean and agile he should be able to handle shortstop. Bastidas is a fundamentally sound fielder with soft hands and fluid, easy actions. He plays calm and under control for his age with a good internal clock, an above-average arm and speed that has trended up to above-average, though he might slow down as he fills out. Bastidas is a switch-hitter with a loose, easy swing from both sides of the plate with good hand-eye coordination. The ball carries off his bat well with occasional over-the-fence juice to his pull side and the physical projection to grow into significantly more power once he fills out.
THE FUTURE: Bastidas has promising projection indicators, though he’s still several years from being in the big league picture. He will make his pro debut in 2021. -
TRACK RECORD: The Tigers landed one of the top shortstops in the 2020-21 international class by signing Santana out of the Dominican Republic on Jan. 15, 2021.
SCOUTING REPORT: Santana, a cousin of Tigers shortstop prospect Wenceel Perez, is an advanced hitter for his age with a good chance to stay at shortstop. At 6 feet, 175 pounds, he has a quick, compact swing and a mature approach for his age, with the ability to recognize breaking balls and control the strike zone. He's mostly a line-drive hitter who has performed well in games, driving the ball well to both gaps with a chance to grow into 15-20 home run power. An average runner with a strong lower half, Santana has quick feet, good hands and an above-average arm that could tick up with more strength gains.
THE FUTURE: Santana is far away from the majors, but he has the upside to be the best shortstop the Tigers have signed out of the Dominican Republic since Willy Adames. He will make his pro debut in 2021. -
TRACK RECORD: Valdez isn’t as refined as a hitter compared to fellow 2021 signee Ariel Almonte, but he has some of the best raw tools in the class. He's 6-foot-2, 175 pounds and would probably be an elite wide receiver recruit if he grew up in the United States.
SCOUTING REPORT: Valdez is a quick-burst, explosive athlete with the building blocks to develop into a high-level defender in center field, including a pair of 70-grade tools in his speed and arm strength. Valdez has good bat speed and at least average raw power that could improve to plus when he adds more strength to his lean, athletic frame.
THE FUTURE: Valdez’s tools are ahead of his on-field skills right now, so development time and patience will be required, but he has a very high ceiling thanks to his excellent athleticism. Valdez's game skills and instincts still need to catch up, particularly with his ability to recognize breaking balls. -
TRACK RECORD: Almonte impressed scouts with his ability to pick up spin, stay within the strike zone and draw walks in game action. He’s a big (6-foot-4, 190 pounds) outfielder with a short stroke for his size, an advanced approach for his age and power that projects to be plus once he fills out.
SCOUTING REPORT: Almonte is able to generate backspin on balls from gap to gap in batting practice, with a flatter swing path in games and a chance for more extra-base damage once he understands which pitches to drive and lift in favorable counts.
THE FUTURE: Almonte is a corner outfielder with below-average speed and an above-average arm for right field, with most of his value driven from what he does in the batter's box. If he hits as well as he’s expected to, the Reds will be thrilled to live with his corner outfield defense. -
TRACK RECORD: After signing Ronnier Quintero in 2019, the Cubs added another promising Venezuelan catcher in their 2020-21 class with Ballesteros, who trained with Alvaro Diaz. Ballesteros grew up playing a lot of baseball, including at the U-12 World Cup in Taiwan in 2015 when he hit cleanup as the youngest player on the Venezuelan team. The Cubs signed him on Jan. 15.
SCOUTING REPORT: Ballesteros consistently performed well in games in Venezuela, managing his at-bats well for his age with a selective approach and good bat control from the left side. His contact skills and plate discipline give him the foundation for strong on-base skills for a catcher, and when he connects it's often for hard contact. He can drive the ball for extra-base damage now with occasional over-the-fence shots and a chance to grow into average power. Ballesteros has a stout, blocky that gives some scouts concerns and about his future physical projection. He has a strong upper body but will need to work to stay on top of his conditioning and maintain his mobility behind the plate. Ballesteros is an offensive-minded catcher who needs more work with his blocking and receiving, though he is surprisingly quick behind the plate getting rid of the ball with a strong arm and pop times into the 1.9s in games.
THE FUTURE: The trek up the minor league ladder for teenage catchers is long and treacherous. Ballesteros will begin his climb in Rookie ball in 2021. -
TRACK RECORD: Several international scouts considered Dominican shortstop Cristian Hernandez to be the best player available in the 2020 international class. He has enormous upside, with the offensive ability to develop into an impact hitter in the middle of the lineup and the defensive skills that could keep him at shortstop. The Cubs signed him for $3 million when the international period opened on Jan. 15.
SCOUTING REPORT: Hernandez is 6-foot-2, 165 pounds with elite swing mechanics that have stood out for years while training in the Mejia Top 10 program. He generates excellent bat speed, gets on plane early and stays through the hitting zone for a long time. Hernandez has a knack for manipulating the bat head, enabling him to barrel pitches in all parts of the strike zone and drive the ball well to all fields. He has performed well in games and showed big power for his age early on during batting practice, with that power translating more now against live pitching. Hernandez needs little effort to generate that power, which flashes plus and should grade higher once he fills out his lean, athletic frame. He could develop into a plus or better hitter with a chance for 30-plus home runs. Early on, some scouts questioned whether Hernandez would eventually outgrow shortstop. Instead, he has enhanced his athleticism, speed and defensive ability over the last couple of years. He's now at least a plus runner underway, moving well to both sides at shortstop with the range, hands and instincts to stay there. He can throw from different angles with a plus arm that could bump up a grade once he gets stronger.
THE FUTURE: Hernandez is still 17 and like everyone else in the 2020-21 international class needs to be tested in pro games, but he has a chance to develop into a premium player. -
TRACK RECORD: The Red Sox landed one of the best athletes in the class when they signed Bleis at the start of the 2020-21 international signing period on Jan. 15.
SCOUTING REPORT: Bleis has a lean, lively frame that's sleek and athletic with high physical upside. His tools have trended up over the past year as projected, with plus speed and a plus arm now. He has long, gliding strides with an easy gait, covering a lot of ground in center field with the physical projection for his arm to potentially develop into a 70-grade tool. Bleis has fast bat speed and his power has jumped up from a little below-average to now showing above-average raw power, driving the ball fairly easily with backspin from center field over to his pull side. With room to put on another 25-30 pounds of good weight, there could be more power in the tank. Bleis isn't an advanced pure hitter, but he isn't raw either, so if he can develop into an average hitter, he has the secondary tools to be a dynamic center fielder.
THE FUTURE: Bleis is one of the most athletic, tooled-up players the Red Sox have at the lower levels of the system, though he’s still several years away. He will likely make his pro debut in 2021 in the Dominican Summer League. -
TRACK RECORD: Once connected to the Yankees, Basallo inked with the Orioles once the coronavirus-delayed signing period opened. Despite being one of the youngest players in the class, Basallo already stands at 6-foot-4, 200 pounds and might not be done filling out.
SCOUTING REPORT: Basallo has a sound swing for someone his size and already shows raw power that could become plus-plus at its peak. His swing is short and quick, and helps Basallo stay through the middle of the field well. He’s also got sound timing for someone his age. Behind the plate, Basallo has at least a plus arm and surprising flexibility and athleticism for a bigger catcher. He might outgrow the position, but he has the athleticism and arm strength for a corner outfield spot.
THE FUTURE: Because he’s so far away, Basallo should start his professional career in the Dominican Republic. Even so, he already ranks as the second-best catching prospect in the system, behind Adley Rutschman. -
TRACK RECORD: At times, Hernandez was linked to the Cardinals and the Pirates but wound up signing with Baltimore. He draws comparisons to taller shortstops in recent vintage like Reggie Preciado (Cubs) and Arol Vera (Angels). He trained with Jhoan Hidalgo in Venezuela.
SCOUTING REPORT: Hernandez is graceful and athletic and generates a combination of power and speed that stands out for his size. His power, in particular, has a chance to be plus as his body matures. Hernandez shows power to all sectors in batting practice and does not chase at a high rate in games. A plus runner now, Hernandez might slow down as he gets older and adds weight to a frame that could hold between 30-50 extra pounds. The way his body changes will determine where he winds up defensively, but he has the athleticism and arm strength to remain on the left side of the infield.
THE FUTURE: Hernandez’s signing continues the Orioles’ refreshed efforts in Latin America since Mike Elias took over in Baltimore. Hernandez should begin his first pro season in the Dominican Summer League. -
TRACK RECORD: Dominican shortstop Manuel Peña and Venezuelan shortstop Jefferson Peña were more prominent prospects among the D-backs 2020-21 international signings. Fernandez, though, has trended up significantly and could end up one of the best values of his international class.
SCOUTING REPORT: Fernandez has a lean, ultra-projectable frame at 6-foot-3, 165 pounds, with an exciting mix of skills on both sides of the ball, tools and the strength projection left for those tools to continue trending up. He has hit well in games with a good swing and a high contact rate. It's gap power now but he hits the ball hard with backspin to all fields and the strength projection to grow into above-average power once he packs on size. Fernandez is athletic with slightly above-average speed and is a fluid mover at shortstop. He has good actions and fields the ball with sweet hands and an arm that's flashing plus and could get even stronger with physical maturity. If he outgrows the position, he could go to third base, but he has the ability to stick at shortstop as long as he maintains his agility and athleticism.
THE FUTURE: Fernandez still has a lot to prove, but he’s an arrow-up player with breakout potential. -
TRACK RECORD: Peña built a reputation as one of the top pure hitters from the Dominican Republic in his international class when he signed with the D-backs during the 2020-21 signing period.
SCOUTING REPORT: Peña takes a compact swing with a good bat path from the left side and an advanced offensive approach. That has helped him hit well in games with the ability to barrel balls consistently. Peña makes hard contact for his age, has a swing geared to hit the ball in the air and the physical projection to develop 20-25 home run power in the future, possibly more given his knack for putting the sweet spot on the ball. Peña is an offensive-oriented player who many scouts thought would go to third or second base. Long term, that is probably still the case, but he has improved defensively in terms of his ability to read hops and use better technique to field the ball with good balance and body control, giving him a chance to keep developing as a shortstop. A slightly below-average runner, Peña has soft hands but needs to improve his footwork. He's a slightly below-average runner whose range probably leads him off the position as he gets bigger, with a 50-55 arm that could be plus in the future.
THE FUTURE: Peña is one of the more advanced hitters the D-backs have signed out of the Dominican Republic in recent years. He’s still several years away, but his hitting ability should translate quickly. -
TRACK RECORD: Zimmermann transferred from Towson University, which is located in Baltimore County, and was drafted by the Braves out of Division II Mount Olive, but it didn't take long for him to come home as part of the Orioles' return in the Kevin Gausman trade in 2018. Zimmermann was masterful in the Double-A Eastern League in 2019 before making his major league debut in 2020.
SCOUTING REPORT: A specialized strength program and mechanical work at Driveline Baseball had Zimmermann throwing harder this summer, with his fastball still sitting 90-93 mph with some hop and reaching 95 mph on occasion. He uses a solid-average changeup against righthanded hitters and can throw a mid-80s slider to both sides, although it is more of a fringy offering. He also features a slower, fringy curveball. While not overpowering, Zimmermann has a plan on the mound and average control. He needs to locate everything, especially his fastball, to be effective.
THE FUTURE: Zimmermann won't be guaranteed a rotation spot in 2021, but he has the mettle to hang on to one if given the chance. Long-term, he's likely an up-and-down starter or swingman. -
TRACK RECORD: Yet another in a long line of savvy international signings by the Cardinals, Rondon was 18 when St. Louis signed him in 2016. Five years later, the Cardinals added him to their 40-man roster, further validating an impressive rise through the minors.
SCOUTING REPORT: Instead of an encore in games that count, Rondon had to settle for solid work at the club's alternate training site. Facing older hitters, his blend of savvy and stuff baffled once again. Rondon topped out at 93-94 at the ATS but has touched 96-97. He varies speeds well and is comfortable locating his fastball, slider, curveball and changeup at any point in the count. Rondon's slider is arguably his only above-average pitch, but he can make his average curve as big, slow or hard as he needs. His changeup, once average, has backed up. He has average control and lives at the edges of the zone.
THE FUTURE: After pitching with Aguillas in the Dominican League, Rondon should head to Triple-A to begin 2021. He's not overpowering, but evaluators rave about his feel for pitching. He could eventually be a multi-inning reliever, a back-end starter or even a setup man. -
TRACK RECORD: Wyatt was coveted at Louisville for his exceptional command of the strike zone and a frame that should easily produce the power required for first base. The Giants drafted him 51st overall and watched as he quickly advanced to low Class A after signing. Wyatt had to wait until instructional league to get back on the field in 2020 after the coronavirus pandemic canceled the minor league season.
SCOUTING REPORT: It's no secret that the Giants want to unlock Wyatt's power. To do so, in addition to extensive work with Giants coach Pat Burrell, they had Wyatt take part in daily faux home run derbies pitted against teammate Connor Cannon while facing the high-velocity pitching machine. The drill was designed to unleash Wyatt's selective aggression on pitches he can drive while still utilizing an all-fields approach. Defensively, Wyatt has soft hands and presents a big target but still needs to improve his footwork around the bag.
THE FUTURE: If Wyatt can sufficiently alter his approach, he could evolve into the prototypical masher at first base. He'll likely restart his path at high Class A. -
TRACK RECORD: Woods was a low-profile prospect out of Dyersburg (Tenn.) JC in 2018, signing for just $125,000 as a 23rd-round pick. After struggling in his debut in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, Woods' velocity ticked up in 2019 and again in 2020, when he impressed Braves officials at the alternate training site.
SCOUTING REPORT: In a year when it was hard for any prospect to enhance his stock, Woods was one of the biggest risers in Atlanta's system. By filling out a frame that's now 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, Woods' fastball has climbed into the mid-to-high 90s. The pitch has solid carry and plays well alongside a hard slider that has a chance to be above-average. His third pitch is a changeup that is still developing but shows promise Woods will need to improve his control. He's walked 4.9 batters per nine innings over his minor league career and is a below-average strike-thrower overall.
THE FUTURE: The Braves have split Woods between starting and relieving. With his velocity gains, he's a potential breakout candidate for 2021. -
TRACK RECORD: Wong started college as a shortstop but broadened his resume as a sophomore, when he spent time behind the plate for Houston and moved around the infield and outfield. His versatility, power, and athleticism—he had 12 homers and 26 steals as a junior—led the Dodgers to draft him in the third round in 2017. His defensive versatility and power potential made him attractive to the Red Sox, who acquired him as the third player in the deal that sent Mookie Betts and David Price to the Dodgers.
SCOUTING REPORT: Wong is deceivingly wiry, a physically unimposing presence who nonetheless has the athleticism and strength to make an impact in a number of areas. He typically sells out on his swing, resulting in a pull-heavy approach that emphasizes launch but renders him vulnerable to offspeed pitches and has yielded a strikeout rate of nearly 31%. Still, his hard contact has translated to both power and high batting averages on balls in play over three minor league seasons. Wong is still developing his technical skills behind the plate, but he's considered a solid receiver with the intelligence and body control to handle the position and the athleticism to play other infield spots.
THE FUTURE: Wong's swing-and-miss issues likely cap his ceiling as a reserve, but his versatility could make him more valuable than the typical backup catcher. He'll likely open 2021 in Triple-A as a depth option. -
TRACK RECORD: With all of the electric arms the Astros scouts have signed and developed out of Latin America in recent years, it would be wise to watch for who might be in their next wave. It could be Garcia, who signed for $180,000 on July 2, 2019, at 16 and quickly trended up after signing. His pro debut was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic, but he participated in Dominican instructional league at the end of 2020.
SCOUTING REPORT: Garcia signed with a fastball that touched 91 mph. After reporting to the Astros' academy, he increased his peak velocity to 94 mph with late riding life to miss bats up in the zone. Garcia isn't very big, but he's athletic with fast arm speed. He still lacks strength, so there's projection for him to continue throwing harder as he physically matures. What helps separate Garcia from his peers are his feel for pitching and starter traits, with easy arm action and a smooth delivery. His curveball has good depth and shape and shows signs of being a future plus pitch. He hasn't focused much on his changeup but has flashed a feel for that pitch as well.
THE FUTURE: Garcia is a long way away, but the arrows are pointing in the right direction. He will make his pro debut in 2021. -
TRACK RECORD: With a $50,000 signing bonus, Adon was a seemingly small piece in the Nationals' international spending bonanza of 2016 that saw them spend more than $5 million. But he has already surpassed many of the players who signed for more. Adon went 11-3, 3.86 for low Class A Hagerstown in 2019 and impressed at the alternate training site in 2020. The Nationals added him to their 40-man roster after the season.
SCOUTING REPORT: Adon has a 95-96 mph fastball, a power slider and a changeup that has become effective against lefthanded and righthanded hitters. The workload of more than 100 innings with Hagerstown helped him improve at repeating his delivery and showing more consistent mechanics. He attacks the zone with all three of his pitches and brings good energy to the mound. Still, his control is below-average, leading many evaluators to project him to the bullpen.
THE FUTURE: Adon's control will determine if he stays in the rotation. His power stuff could play in relief. -
TRACK RECORD: Williamson spent one season at Texas Christian after transferring from North Iowa Area JC. Despite corrective surgery on both hips, he performed well enough to be drafted by the Mariners in the second round. He pitched minimally in his first pro season and spent 2020 at the Mariners' alternate training site.
SCOUTING REPORT: Williamson works with a powerful fastball-curveball combination that misses bats. His heater sits at 95-97 mph and generates plenty of swings and misses because of its electric life. Williamson's plus curveball has good 11-to-5 shape and a high spin rate that makes it another swingand-miss pitch. He tried to be too much of a finesse pitcher during the summer, using his above-average changeup and average slider instead of pitching to his strengths with his fastball and curveball. He delivers his pitches from a deceptive three-quarters delivery that features a high front side. He has average control.
THE FUTURE: Williamson will get his first crack at full-season ball in 2021. He has a chance to become a mid-to-back-of-the-rotation-starter. -
TRACK RECORD: Williams' path to the majors has been long and winding. A D-Backs draftee, Williams was traded the next year to the Rays in a swap that brought Jeremy Hellickson to Arizona. He made his MLB debut in 2018 with the Rays. He was then dealt to the Cardinals for Tommy Pham at the trade deadline. A broken hand suffered punching a TV and hamstring injuries slowed him in 2019, but he returned to the majors briefly in September 2020.
SCOUTING REPORT: Williams hits the ball very hard. He just struggles to hit the ball very hard in the air. With his level swing, he hits stinging singles and doubles rather than home runs. Williams has aboveaverage raw power. He will take a walk and he does a solid job of recognizing spin. He puts in good at-bats against lefthanders. A fringe-average runner, Williams' plus arm is an asset in right field, but he has struggled with reads and when to lay out and when to pull up, which is why he's considered a fringe-average defender.
THE FUTURE: Williams' ties a record with this Prospect Handbook appearance--he's been in eight books since 2014. He's out of options and will head to spring training looking to add a much-needed lefty bat to the very righthanded Cardinals' lineup. -
TRACK RECORD: Williams was IMG Academy's No. 2 starter behind Brennan Malone and boosted his stock with a strong showing at the 2019 National High School Invitational. The Blue Jays drafted him in the second round and signed him for $1,547,500. The Dodgers liked Williams in the draft and acquired him for Ross Stripling at the 2020 trade deadline.
SCOUTING REPORT: Williams is a classic, projectable righthander with a 6-foot-6 frame, a polished delivery and room to grow into more velocity. His fastball presently sits in the low 90s and frequently touches 93-94 mph. His best secondary is a potentially plus changeup that tunnels well off his fastball before dropping off with power fade. Williams is still working to find a breaking ball. He began working on a hard slider with short tilt in the mid-80s during instructional league. Williams has a natural feel to manipulate the baseball and throw strikes from different angles. He should have at least average control.
THE FUTURE: Williams has the ingredients to become a mid-rotation starter if his breaking ball develops. His full-season debut awaits in 2021. -
TRACK RECORD: Williams is the highest drafted Arizona State shortstop since Deven Marrero was a firstrounder in 2012. Marrero is an interesting analogue for Williams. Like Marrero, Williams is considered an excellent defensive shortstop who faced questions about his bat. He hit .300/.383/.400 for his Sun Devils career.
SCOUTING REPORT: Williams makes the shortstop position look easy because he is a fluid athlete who has such smooth actions. He's rangy with an excellent first step. His ability to be at least an above-average glove at shortstop and possibly plus is why he was a top-40 pick despite persistent questions about his bat. Williams puts the bat on the ball, but he just doesn't frighten pitchers. His contact ability makes him a bottom-of-the-order hitter who isn't a complete nothing offensively, but he projects as a below-average hitter with well below-average power.
THE FUTURE: The Rays love to collect athletic up-the-middle defenders with contact ability. If they can unlock a little more in Williams' bat, he's a future big league regular. If not, his glove still could pave a way to a role. -
TRACK RECORD: Whitlock's draft-eligible sophomore season at Alabama-Birmingham in 2017 was thrown off by food poisoning and a back strain. His strong turn in the Cape Cod League in 2016 was enough to convince the Yankees to sign him as an 18th-rounder for nearly $250,000, a total that counted against the Yankees' bonus pool He had Tommy John surgery in the middle of the 2019 season but was recovered by December 2020, when the Red Sox selected him in the major league Rule 5 draft.
SCOUTING REPORT: Whitlock's main weapons are a low-to-mid-90s fastball and a hard-darting slider. His lower arm slot gives his fastball excellent sinking life and has made him a reliable groundball pitcher. Whitlock also throws a changeup in the low-to-mid 80s, but the pitch lags behind his fastball and slider. The 2019 season was Whitlock's first long look at Double-A, but his injury limited him to 70.1 innings.
THE FUTURE: Boston's pitching was not good in 2020 and was exacerbated by losses of Chris Sale to Tommy John surgery and Eduardo Rodriguez to Covid-19. Whitlock has a chance to stick in either the rotation or bullpen, giving him a chance to stick on the major league roster as a Rule 5 pick. -
TRACK RECORD: White had Tommy John surgery in high school and battled an assortment of injuries after the Dodgers drafted him in the second round in 2016, including a broken toe, general soreness and recurring blisters. He finally stayed healthy in 2020 and pitched consistently well at the alternate training site, resulting in his first major league callup on Aug. 28.
SCOUTING REPORT: White has plenty of stuff but has long been hampered by injuries and inconsistency. His fastball sits 93-94 mph with natural cut and both his vertical, low-80s curveball and horizontal mid-80s slider are plus pitches at their best. White has long struggled with fastball command and secondary execution, in part due to mechanical issues caused by his injuries. He was consistent at the alternate site and in two scoreless relief appearances in the majors, providing optimism that he's turned a corner.
THE FUTURE: It all comes down to health and consistency for White. The Dodgers saw enough progress to believe he still has a chance to start, but his injury history and pitch mix point to a relief future. -
TRACK RECORD: Whitcomb played at Division II at UC San Diego and elevated his stock with a strong summer after his sophomore year in the Cape Cod League, where he hit .303/.371/.606 with eight home runs in 34 games. He was the 160th and final pick of the five-round draft in 2020, signing for $56,000 before reporting to instructional league.
SCOUTING REPORT: Whitcomb's Cape performance increased scouts' confidence in his ability to hit better pitching. He has the ability to turn around good velocity and drive the ball for above-average raw power. There could be more power to unlock as he works to hit from a sturdier base on his back side and get into a better hitting position, an adjustment he seemed to be working through during instructs. What Whitcomb does at the plate drives his value. He's an average runner who doesn't have the footwork or range for shortstop, with his arm probably pushing him to second base, though he could see time at third.
THE FUTURE: Whitcomb fits the mold of players with hitterish tendencies the Astros have targeted in recent years. He should start 2021 at one of the team's Class A affiliates. -
TRACK RECORD: When the Reds drafted Solomon, they were taking a chance on a pitcher with a lot of work ahead. Solomon's performance in junior college wasn't spectacular, but Reds scout Lee Seras believed there was more to come. Three years later, Solomon was throwing 4-5 mph harder at instructional league with a much sharper slider. He tore his right ulnar collateral near the end of instructs and needed Tommy John surgery.
SCOUTING REPORT: Other than Rece Hinds, no Reds player impressed more at instructs than Solomon. He's added strength and uses his legs better in his delivery. Solomon sat 93-97 mph and touched 99, up from the 92-94 he threw in college. His improved arm speed also paid off in a better and harder slider that sat 87-89 mph with significant tilt. Working with two plus pitches, Solomon had the look of a potentially dominating reliever. He also has a seldom-thrown, below-average changeup. Solomon has been a starter for the Reds so far, but he's more likely to end up as a two-pitch power reliever.
THE FUTURE: The Reds were impressed enough by Solomon's improved stuff that they added him to the 40-man roster despite the injury and his lack of experience above Class A. He will miss all of 2021 while he recovers. -
TRACK RECORD: When the D-backs signed Martinez for $50,000 in 2018, he had been pitching for just six months, had below-average control and lacked the feel to spin a breaking ball. He improved rapidly and now, nearly three years later, has begun to win over believers when it comes to his potential to be a major league starter.
SCOUTING REPORT: Martinez has plenty of size, strength and athleticism. His fastball sits in the mid 90s, scratches 99 mph and is unique in that it sometimes cuts and sinks. He has picked up a slider that can be sharp and sweepy but remains inconsistent. He also throws a splitter that provides good separation, but he needs to throw more strikes with it. His mechanics are raw and he tends to rush down the mound, but there's not much effort in his arm action and delivery.
THE FUTURE: The strides Martinez has made given his short time on the mound lends credence to those who think he can continue trending upward. He has a ways to go, but his upside is tantalizing. -
TRACK RECORD: When the Cardinals traded Sam Tuiavaila to the Mariners at the trade deadline in 2018, they acquired an eventual replacement. Elledge had a dominating MLB debut on Aug. 16, when he struck out five in 2.2 hitless innings. He struggled with his control, but he was a regular option in the Cardinals' bullpen in September.
SCOUTING REPORT: There's little subtlety to Elledge's approach. He has two pitches, and likes to work up and away with his 92-95 mph, above-average fastball. The pitch has late life and run to get swings and misses at the top of the zone. The fastball sets up Elledge's plus, low-80s slider, which has above-average depth but generally is a chase pitch. Only one out of every four he threw in the majors finished in the strike zone, but he can start it out over the plate before it dives to the dirt down and away from righthanders. Lefties hit . 316/.458/.842 against Elledge because he doesn't throw anything that breaks away, so they can focus on the inner half of the plate. He can locate to his gloveside but not armside.
THE FUTURE: Elledge was entrusted with pitching the seventh and eighth innings when the Cardinals were behind. Now he needs to earn Mike Shildt's trust to work in higher-leverage situations. -
TRACK RECORD: When Shohei Ohtani declined the Yankees' offer in 2017, the team turned their attention and remaining slot money to a pair of promising Latin outfielders: Antonio Cabello and Salinas. His 2018 season was limited to 11 games by injuries to his knee and ring finger, which led to him repeating the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League in 2019.
SCOUTING REPORT: In 2019, the Yankees worked with Salinas to find a swing that got to the strike zone quicker and stayed there longer. As with many players at that level, they also worked with him to refine his command of the strike zone and get him to unleash on pitches he could drive. Outside scouts noted a player whose shorter arms give him a better chance to more quickly close holes in the zone, as well as someone who looked calm in the box. He's an explosive runner who has a chance to stick in center field.
THE FUTURE: Though he wasn't at the alternate training site, Salinas did get a taste of in-person instruction at the Yankees' Dominican Republic instructional league in December. He's got a lot of catching up to do, but there's still a ceiling waiting to be achieved. -
TRACK RECORD: When Buffalo shut down its baseball program, Dubin transferred to NAIA Georgetown (Ky.) for his senior year. After signing with the Astros for $1,000 in 2018, he added velocity in 2019 and led the high Class A Carolina League with 132 strikeouts in just 98.2 innings. The Astros brought him to their alternate training site in 2020.
SCOUTING REPORT: Dubin came into pro ball with a fast arm. With added weight, he now pitches at 92-96 mph and can hit 99 with late riding life when he pitches up in the zone. Dubin's slider is his key pitch. It's a plus offering with tight rotation and good tilt when it's on, but it can be inconsistent and has a shorter, cutter-like break at times. His solid-average curveball and fringe-average changeup round out his repertoire. Dubin has some effort in his delivery and struggled to throw strikes in college. He has fringe-average control and has kept his walks reasonable, if still a tick high.
THE FUTURE: Dubin has a chance to start. Along with his mechanics, the way his fastball and slider would play up in short stints leads some scouts to think he's better suited for a bullpen role. -
TRACK RECORD: Wentz was selected 40th overall by the Braves in 2016 and won South Atlantic League pitcher of the year in his first full season. He missed much of the 2018 season with an oblique injury and was traded to the Tigers in 2019 as part of the deal for Shane Greene. Instead of making his Tigers debut in 2020 as planned, Wentz had Tommy John surgery in March.
SCOUTING REPORT: Wentz leads his three-pitch mix with a fastball that sits comfortably at 91-93 mph with late life. While his fastball doesn't have the same velocity as the other top arms, its action through the zone is enough to generate plenty of swings and misses. Wentz complements his heater with a mid-tohigh-70s curveball with late break, making it difficult for opposing hitters to identify early. Wentz's mid 80s changeup is his strongest secondary offering and projects as an above-average pitch. Wentz projects to make a living off of his deception rather than overwhelming velocity.
THE FUTURE: Wentz still has more rehab time ahead of him. His pitch mix and durable frame allow him to project as a back-end starter. -
TRACK RECORD: Wendzel won the Big-12 Conference co-player of the year award with Josh Jung in 2019. The Rangers drafted both when they selected Jung eighth overall and Wendzel 41st overall after the season. Wendzel got into only seven games after signing, but he spent time at the alternate training site in 2020 and finished in instructional league.
SCOUTING REPORT: Wendzel's instincts at the plate and defensive versatility stand out the most about him. He controls the strike zone and makes quality swing decisions, which results in hard contact. The Rangers are confident he will rap plenty of doubles and believe there are more homers in his bat than they did a year ago. His defense isn't an issue, other than finding him a spot. He can play second base, third base and shortstop at an average clip as well as across the outfield. He played some center at the alternate site. He has the plus arm to fit in multiple spots.
THE FUTURE: Wendzel's status as a polished college hitter should serve him well. He has a chance to move quickly alongside fellow top picks Jung and Justin Foscue. -
TRACK RECORD: Well-known on the showcase circuit for years, Norris entered his senior season at Green Hope High in Cary, N.C., having shown poor command and control in the recent past. He looked much improved in the spring before the coronavirus pandemic shut everything down, and the D-backs got multiple early looks at him to feel confident the progression was not a mirage. They selected him in the third round and gave him an above-slot $800,000 bonus to forgo a North Carolina commitment.
SCOUTING REPORT: Norris has a big body he is still growing into and a clean arm action. He impressed during instructional league with both his strike-throwing and ability to repeat his delivery, though he wasn't as consistent as he needs to be. His fastball ranged from 92-96 mph, and some believe he still has the physical projection to get stronger and add more velocity. His 79-82 mph curveball has good break and depth and is a potentially average pitch, slightly ahead of his fringy slider and changeup.
THE FUTURE: Norris will need to stay on top of his conditioning and show he can maintain his stuff and command over a full season. If he can, he has the weapons to stick in the rotation. -
TRACK RECORD: Weatherly pitched exclusively out of the bullpen his first two seasons at Clemson and piled up strikeouts and walks in just about equal measure. He found his stride as a starter in 2020 before the season shut down, leading the Rockies to draft him in the third round and sign him for $755,300.
SCOUTING REPORT: Stuff is not a question with Weatherly. He throws his fastball 92-96 mph from the left side with a plus slider. He also has a changeup in his repertoire, but it's a clear third pitch. The question with Weatherly is consistency of those pitches, and to put more of a fine point on it, whether he can command them well enough to continue as a starter. Weatherly is an intellectual pitcher who understands the craft, but his control is well below-average and will need lots of work.
THE FUTURE: The Rockies are committed to having Weatherly debut as a starter. His electric stuff should make him an effective short reliever if he fails to stick in the rotation. -
TRACK RECORD: Way started his college career at Division II Belmont Abbey before transferring to Northwest Florida State. He sat out 2019 because of the move, then struck out 58 hitters in 40 innings before the season was shut down by the novel coronavirus pandemic. Though the Yankees took Way in the fourth round, he was actually their second pick after losing their second- and third-round choices to the Astros as compensation for signing Gerrit Cole. He was one of the best junior college prospects on the board.
SCOUTING REPORT: Way brings a three-pitch mix, started with an expertly commanded four-seam fastball that sits in the 92-94 mph range and touches 97. He backs it up with a potentially plus changeup and an inconsistent but intriguing slider. He meshes all three together with above-average control, which should allow him to move relatively quickly.
THE FUTURE: The Yankees' lack of domestic instructional league meant Way won't debut until 2021, when he could begin at a Class A level. He has the ceiling of a back-end starter. -
TRACK RECORD: Warren racked up strikeouts as an undersized reliever at UNC Wilmington and was drafted by the Angels in the sixth round as a senior sign in 2018. He continued that trend in pro ball with 77 strikeouts in 57.2 innings in his first full season while rising three levels to Double-A. Despite his strong pro debut, the Angels did not bring him to their alternate training site or instructional league in 2020.
SCOUTING REPORT: Warren's fastball sat 90-92 mph in college but has ticked up in pro ball. His heater now sits in the 92-94 mph range and plays up with how he pairs it with his above-average slider. Warren throws his slider liberally. At it's best, it's a devastating pitch with short break in the 84-87 mph range and gets frequent swings and misses. The pitch neutralizes righties and his upper-80s changeup with depth and run is good enough to keep lefties at bay. Warren's control is fringy and he will walk batters, but he's a hard-nosed competitor who isn't afraid to challenge hitters.
THE FUTURE: Warren projects as a middle reliever who is especially effective against same-side hitters. He's on track to join the Angels bullpen in the near future. -
TRACK RECORD: Wallace's selection by the Rockies in 2019 continued a trend—Colorado had also selected Connecticut relievers in 2012 and 2018. With the Rockies trading Wallace to the Red Sox at midseason for outfielder Kevin Pillar, Wallace will now try to join another UConn product, Matt Barnes, in Boston's bullpen.
SCOUTING REPORT: Wallace is a pure reliever prospect, but his pitch mix should allow him to move through the system rather quickly. His fastball sits in the mid 90s and can touch a few ticks higher. He pairs it with a snappy mid-80s slider with a spin rate of 2,800 revolutions per minute that hitters in the short-season Northwest League struggled to identify and put in play. Wallace was working on a changeup in 2019 as well. NWL hitters swung and missed at Wallace's pitches nearly 17% of the time, ranking him 12th among league pitchers with at least 20 innings. Wallace is twitchy and athletic and has the uptempo, aggressive delivery befitting of a late-inning stopper.
THE FUTURE: Wallace's power arsenal should allow him to start 2021 at least at high Class A and get him to Double-A rather quickly. -
TRACK RECORD: Vukovich was a two-sport star in high school who was a finalist for Wisconsin's Mr. Basketball. The D-backs drafted him in the fourth round in 2020 and signed him for $1.25 million, the equivalent of second-round money, to forgo a Louisville commitment. Vukovich made a loud first impression at instructional league in the fall, impressing the organization with consistent hard contact and a mature routine and work ethic.
SCOUTING REPORT: Vukovich is lean and lanky and has more athleticism than might be apparent at first glance. Despite his big frame and long levers, his swing is relatively short and direct with few moving parts. With his stance slightly closed, he wears out the right-center field gap. He shows a good approach, a feel for finding the barrel and plus power potential. Defense hasn't been a focus for Vuckovich, but he made strides in his fundamentals at third base during the fall. He still has a long way to go and might end up shifting to an outfield corner. He is a below-average runner.
THE FUTURE: Vukovich should hit enough for an outfield corner. Some observers believe he could develop into a Nick Castellanos type. -
TRACK RECORD: Volpe was part of a Delbarton High team that featured righthander Jack Leiter and the son of former New Jersey governor Chris Christie. The Yankees drafted Volpe in the first round, No. 30 overall, and signed him for just under $2.75 million. A case of mononucleosis limited Volpe's pro debut to 34 games at Rookie-level Pulaski, then he didn't play in 2020 with the minor league season canceled by the coronavirus pandemic.
SCOUTING REPORT: Volpe has an innate ability to square balls up and produce quality contact. His main goal during the shutdown was to add strength to his lean frame, and the Yankees say he's added 15 pounds of muscle since being drafted. Volpe needs to continue to get stronger to impact the ball more, but he has the tools to hit for average. Defensively, Volpe earns high marks for his quickness and instincts at shortstop and shows enough arm strength to stick at the position in the long-term. He's an above-average runner.
THE FUTURE: Volpe will still be 19 on Opening Day and has time on his side to make the needed physical gains. Depending on his camp performance, he'll open in either extended spring training or low Class A. -
TRACK RECORD: Vodnik was the first player drafted out of Rialto (Calif.) High since Ricky Nolasco in 2001. He was plenty raw, but the Braves signed him for an above-slot $200,000 because of his natural arm strength. After a rough pro debut, Vodnik posted a 2.93 ERA in 23 appearances for low Class A Rome in 2019, working mostly in long relief. The Braves brought him to the alternate training site late in 2020 and included him in instructional league.
SCOUTING REPORT: Vodnik is undersized but strong. He fires an above-average fastball that sits at 94 mph and touches 98. His breaking ball is slurvy, looking more like a slider some days and like a curveball on others. He shows natural ability to spin the ball, but developing a more consistent shape will be key moving forward. Vodnik made progress with a changeup that previously lacked consistency at the alternate site. He'll need a reliable third pitch if he wants to start. His control was a question mark when he was drafted, but he's kept his walks reasonable so far in his pro career.
THE FUTURE: Vodnik likely ends up a hard-throwing reliever. Some believe he might be able to start. -
TRACK RECORD: Viewed as the top defensive catcher in the 2016 draft class, Rogers was drafted by the Astros in the third round and traded to the Tigers a year later with Daz Cameron and Franklin Perez for Justin Verlander. Rogers rose through Double-A and Triple-A up to the majors for his debut in 2019, but he spent all of 2020 at the alternate training site and did not receive a callup.
SCOUTING REPORT: Rogers shines behind the plate defensively. He has cat-like quickness and footwork and plus arm strength. He has improved his ability to properly block and frame. He draws praise for his attitude and work ethic, and pitchers like throwing to him. Rogers' offense is a different story. An uphill swing leads to inconsistent contact and struggles against offspeed pitches, in particular. Rogers does have some raw power, but he doesn't project to make enough contact to get to it.
THE FUTURE: Rogers needs a swing change in order to be in the lineup every day, even with his defensive abilities. His most likely outcome is a backup catcher. -
TRACK RECORD: Vera signed for $2 million as a 16-year-old as part of the Angels' renewed commitment to Latin America. He was confined to an Arizona apartment complex during the coronavirus shutdown in 2020 and put on a little too much weight by the time he reported to instructional league in the fall. Even with the added weight, he showed a tool set that remains intriguing.
SCOUTING REPORT: The switch-hitting Vera has an advanced understanding of the strike zone and good bat-to-ball skills from both sides. He works counts and rarely swings at pitches outside the strike zone. He's more of a line-drive hitter but should hit for more power as he matures physically and gains strength. Vera is athletic in the field with quick hands, a strong arm and an ability to throw from all angles at shortstop. He's an average runner now but will likely slow down as he fills out.
THE FUTURE: Vera is too gifted of an infielder to move off of shortstop for now. If he continues to add weight, he might project more as a third baseman. -
TRACK RECORD: Vavra comes from a baseball family. His father Joe was the Tigers' hitting coach in 2020 and his brothers Tanner and Trey both played professionally. Terrin is carving out quite a path for himself. He was an All-American at Minnesota, was drafted by the Rockies in the third round and won the MVP of the low Class A South Atlantic League in his first full season in 2019. The Orioles acquired him at the 2020 trade deadline as part of the Mychal Givens trade.
SCOUTING REPORT: Vavra is a difficult out for pitchers and walked as many times as he struck out (62) in 2019. He boasts an advanced approach and a smooth, line-drive swing from the left side that allows him to square the ball up and drive it. While Vavra has average speed, he's an above-average baserunner with good jumps and instincts. He has good actions on the infield, but his fringe-average arm limits him to second base. The Orioles tried him in left field and center field in the fall.
THE FUTURE: Vavra has all the makings of a trustworthy big leaguer who can give his team consistent at-bats and handle multiple positions. He likely fits as a platoon player or second-division regular. -
TRACK RECORD: Vargas was the Indians' top signing in the 2016 international class, signing for $275,000. Though he wasn't a high-profile prospect at the time, the Indians landed a premium arm. Even though he has yet to advance past short-season, the Indians were impressed enough with his progress to add him to the 40-man roster in November.
SCOUTING REPORT: When he signed as a 17-year-old in 2016, Vargas had an ultra-projectable frame and was already throwing 93 mph. His velocity has ticked up as expected and his fastball now reaches 100 mph and sits in the upper 90s. His slider sits around 90 mph and is a plus pitch at its best. His changeup can be an average pitch and gives him a viable third offering. He improved his strike-throwing in 2019, cutting his walk rate considerably. He still needs to refine his command and learn how to get the most out of his electric stuff.
THE FUTURE: Vargas has considerable upside and has given plenty of reason for optimism at the outset of his career. He'll get his first taste of A ball in 2021. -
TRACK RECORD: Vargas played for Venezuela in the COPABE 14U Pan American Championship in 2017 and signed with the Brewers for $650,000 two years later. He stood out for his baseball IQ and strong offensive performance as an amateur and has continued to showcase those attributes as a pro, first in the Dominican Republic after signing and during instructional league in 2020.
SCOUTING REPORT: Vargas stands out more in games than in a workout. He doesn't have loud tools or the prettiest swing, but he gets on base, makes frequent contact with good plate discipline and uses the whole field. Vargas is physically behind his peers, so he's mostly a line drive hitter with doubles pop. There's room on his frame to add more strength, but he doesn't project to be a big home run threat. Vargas is an average runner who lacks the quick-twitch actions teams prefer at shortstop, but he has a chance to stick there because of his internal clock, secure hands, solid-average arm and advanced instincts.
THE FUTURE: Vargas will still be 17 on Opening Day 2021. He is set to begin his pro career in the Rookie-level Arizona League. -
TRACK RECORD: Van Eyk won a gold medal with USA Baseball's 18U national team in high school and entered his senior year as one of the top prospects in the 2017 draft. A forearm injury hurt his draft stock, and he instead went to Florida State. The move worked out, as Van Eyk became the 42nd overall pick in the 2020 draft and signed for $1,797,500. He went to the team's rookie camp at instructional league in the fall and pitched in one game.
SCOUTING REPORT: Van Eyk pitches off a fastball that sits in the low 90s and touches 95 mph. He throws an above-average curveball with good depth that can miss bats, along with an average changeup that has good sink and separation off his fastball. Van Eyk has a feel to spin a slider, but it doesn't generate the same swing-and-miss rate as his curveball. He throws strikes with easy, fluid arm action and simple, low-maintenance mechanics.
THE FUTURE: Van Eyk is a relatively safe bet to stick as a starter between his repertoire, delivery and pitchability. He should make his pro debut at one of the Class A levels in 2021. -
TRACK RECORD: Vallimont posted a 2.54 ERA over three years at Division II Mercyhurst (Pa.) and struck out 147 batters in 80.1 innings as a junior. The Marlins drafted him in the fifth round in 2018 and signed him for $300,000. The Twins acquired Vallimont with Sergio Romo from Miami in a 2019 trade for Lewin Diaz. He showed well at high Class A Fort Myers in his first stint in the organization and was brought to instructional league in 2020.
SCOUTING REPORT: Vallimont has a solid build for a starting pitcher and an intriguing pitch mix. He throws his fastball in the 90-92 mph range with elite carry and can reach back for 95-96 mph. He shows good feel to spin both a slider and curveball that flash average, while his changeup has flashed average but has never been consistent. Vallimont has an advanced feel for pitching and will throw any of his four pitches at any time. He throws everything for strikes with average control.
THE FUTURE: Vallimont has back-of-the-rotation potential with his varied arsenal and advanced feel for pitching. He'll try to show his stuff plays against upper-level hitters in 2021. -
TRACK RECORD: Valdez was lightly regarded as an amateur and signed with the Padres for just $10,000 late in the 2015-16 international signing period. He exploded physically into a 6-foot-8, 254-pound behemoth and quickly rose through the minors as a hard-throwing reliever. Valdez spent all of 2019 at Double-A and pitched at instructional league in 2020 before heading to the Dominican Winter League.
SCOUTING REPORT: Valdez is an enormous human being whose nickname is "Exxon" Valdez, after the oil tanker. He is an intimidating presence on the mound and blows hitters away with a fastball that averages 98-99 mph and touches 101-102 mph out of a short arm action. Valdez's slider has transformed from a loopy, 78-80 mph pitch into a hard, 87-88 mph power offering with late snap to give him a needed secondary offering. His 89-90 changeup with hard sink has also come along to be a solid pitch. Both of his secondaries flash plus at their best but need more consistency. Valdez's control is below-average, but he throws enough strikes to be an effective late-game reliever.
THE FUTURE: Valdez has a chance to be one of the hardest-throwing relievers in the majors. He is in position to make his major league debut in 2021. -
TRACK RECORD: Valdez signed for $1.4 million in 2018 on the strength of his incredible raw power. He hit six home runs in his pro debut as a 17-year-old in 2019, spending most of the season in the Dominican Summer League but appearing in three games in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League.
SCOUTING REPORT: Valdez records some of the highest average exit velocities in the Mets' system, and lives in the same neighborhood in that regard as Top 10 Prospects Brett Baty and Mark Vientos. During one notable live batting practice session at instructional league, the righthanded-hitting Valdez flexed his plus-plus raw power by driving a pitch about 450 feet down the left-field line. Otherwise, the speed of instructional league play was too fast for Valdez, who was one of the younger players in camp. He doesn't chase out of the zone as much as other hitters his age but struggled to wait on his pitch and do damage. Valdez is a power-over-hit corner outfielder, with below-average hitting ability. His physical, mature body will keep him locked in right field, where he has below-average defensive instincts and a strong arm that is mitigated by a long arm action and slow release.
THE FUTURE: Valdez has strong competitive makeup and is a good teammate. His upward mobility depends on doing damage when he makes contact. His development will take time. -
TRACK RECORD: Valdes was born in Cuba, where his father played in the Serie Nacional, and moved with his family to Florida when he was 12. Though he was young for the 2019 draft class, he was one of the best prep defenders in the nation. He played at instructional league in 2020.
SCOUTING REPORT: Valdes had a glove-over-bat profile as an amateur and that has continued to be the case since entering the Indians' system. The natural righthanded hitter began switch-hitting when he got to America and almost all of his high school plate appearances came from the left side. He's made strides as a lefthanded hitter but he's still clearly better from the right side. He has a wiry frame and should be able to add more impact offensively as he physically matures. Valdes shines defensively. He has a plus arm, can make all the throws from shortstop and gets rid of the ball quickly. He's an average runner, but that plays up on the bases and in the field thanks to his quickness and instincts.
THE FUTURE: The Indians have a bevy of exciting shortstops, especially in the lower levels of the system, and Valdes fits right in with the group. -
TRACK RECORD: Uribe was old enough to sign out of the Dominican Republic in 2017 but wasn't officially registered with Major League Baseball, so the Brewers signed him in 2018 for $85,000. Uribe's fastball topped out in the low 90s when he signed and has since skyrocketed. He began touching the mid 90s in his stateside debut in 2019, then sat 95-98 mph and touched 101 at instructional league in 2020.
SCOUTING REPORT: Uribe has always had fast arm speed, and his velocity spike came as he gained strength and became more consistent with his delivery. He has thrown just 28.1 official innings in three years, mostly as a reliever, so the rest of his development beyond his velocity lags behind. Uribe's fastball command and overall strike-throwing has been erratic and he tends to overthrow. He has shown a feel for a slider that's ahead of his changeup, but because he often falls behind in counts his focus has been on learning how to throw his fastball for strikes.
THE FUTURE: Uribe has a chance to be a power-armed reliever. He'll need to throw strikes to get there. -
TRACK RECORD: Urbina was one of the top Venezuelan prospects in the 2018 international class and signed with the Twins for $2.75 million. He lived up to his billing with a strong 2019 season in the Dominican Summer League, showing solid bat-to-ball skills and batting .279/.382/.443.
SCOUTING REPORT: Urbina has exciting potential, but he is still a fairly raw teenager and needs as many game reps as possible. He has a chance to be an above-average or better hitter thanks to his natural feel for the barrel, but the Twins want him to get less rotational in his swing. The goal is to sync his lower and upper halves to spread the ball around the field better. Urbina doesn't project as a huge power threat, but the canceled 2020 minor league season allowed him to focus on strength gains, and he is in better shape than he was a year ago. Urbina has upside defensively as a plus runner who could stick in center field, but he needs to focus on the details of outfield defense to shore up some rough edges. Urbina has an upbeat personality and an advanced, instinctual baseball mind for his age
THE FUTURE: Urbina possesses some of the most exciting potential in the lower levels of Minnesota's system. He is set to make his stateside debut in 2021. -
TRACK RECORD: Undrafted out of high school because of a knee injury, McCambley pitched both as a starter and reliever at Coastal Carolina. He impressed with a 1.74 ERA in the Cape Cod League the summer before his junior year and carried it through the abbreviated 2020 college season. The Marlins drafted him in the third round and signed him for $775,000.
SCOUTING REPORT: McCambley has a deceptive delivery and fast-paced tempo on the mound. His fastball sits 92-94 mph and can touch 96 mph, and his ability to improve his command will determine whether it becomes a plus offering. He throws a plus curveball with a high spin rate and bite in the upper-70s. The lack of a third pitch has many scouts believing McCambley will be a high-leverage reliever instead of a starter in the majors. His fringe-average control further points to a relief future.
THE FUTURE: McCambley will remain a starter for now. How much he develops a third pitch and improves his control will determine if he stays there. -
TRACK RECORD: Two seasons after signing, Rodriguez has been productive at both of the system's lowest levels. He tied for fourth in the Rookie-level Arizona League in home runs in 2019, with nine, and was one of just 13 players in the league with a slugging percentage better than .500.
SCOUTING REPORT: Rodriguez's reports from instructional league were uneven. He plays with aggression that can border on recklessness, but also can play above-average defense when everything goes right. At the plate, he badly needs to reel in his approach. Scouts in Arizona saw an overly free swinger with a loopy swing who stepped in the bucket and had a particular weakness against sliders. When everything clicks in his swing, though, there's surprising power and ability to use the whole field, though the White Sox would like him to work more on going the opposite way. He's a below-average runner.
THE FUTURE: Rodriguez has a lot of work to do to refine his game, and he'll resume that quest in low Class A. If everything clicks, he could fill a middle-infield utility role with a bit of pop. -
TRACK RECORD: Tucker was a solid player on the showcase circuit in the summer of 2019, but he took a step forward during the offseason when he grew two inches and put on 10-15 pounds of muscle. Limited to just a few high school games due to the coronavirus pandemic, he showed enough to convince the Indians to draft him 23rd overall, bettering his older brother Cole Tucker, who went 24th overall in 2014 to the Pirates.
SCOUTING REPORT: Tucker has solid all-around tools and stands out most for his feel for hitting and infield actions. He has a short, consistent swing and makes a lot of contact--a combination that should make him at least an average hitter. His swing is more geared to hitting line drives, but he can flash aboveaverage power and his offseason strength gains should help him get to it. He's at least a plus runner. Tucker has worked hard at his defense and has a good natural feel for the position. His actions, above-average arm and speed give him the tools to be an above-average defender.
THE FUTURE: Tucker fits in with the growing stable of young shortstops in the organization and will make his professional debut in 2021. -
TRACK RECORD: Triana has had a long wait to play in an official game. He was one of the best players on Cuba's 18U national team in 2017, but he headed to the Dominican Republic in 2018 to showcase for U.S. teams. The Reds signed him for $1.3 million and then sent him to the unofficial tricky league. He was supposed to make his U.S. debut in 2020 but thanks to the coronavirus pandemic he couldn't get a visa for instructional league.
SCOUTING REPORT: Triana worked out for teams as a third baseman, but the Reds took one look at his big, mature frame and immediately slid him to first base, where his skill set will profile. He has plus raw power, but his line-drive swing doesn't always lift the ball over the fence. He showed some issues with breaking balls in the Tricky League, but that can somewhat be chalked up to rust. He could end up as an asset defensively at first thanks to good feet and soft hands.
THE FUTURE: The Reds and Triana have had a long wait to see what he can do in actual games. He has the tools to be a MLB regular at first base if everything develops, but it's hard to feel confident until he gets tested by minor league pitchers. -
TRACK RECORD: Torres didn't pitch much growing up but quickly showed big upside on the mound after starting to focus on it late in his high school career. He made a smooth transition to pro ball and in 2018 excelled in the Rookie-level Arizona League. His progress was slowed in 2019, however, when he had Tommy John surgery in May and missed the whole season. He spent 2020 at the Indians' complex in Arizona and was back to full health in time for instructional league.
SCOUTING REPORT: Torres doesn't have a big frame at a listed 6-foot-1, but he has a quick arm and can run his fastball up to 97 mph. The pitch typically sits 94 and he pairs it with a slider that has plus potential. He is working to implement a changeup, which at its best has hard downer action. His control is also an area of focus, though he surprised with his strike-throwing ability during his professional debut.
THE FUTURE: Before the draft, Torres faced lots of questions about whether he could be a starter in pro ball because of his size and lack of a third pitch. His injury raised those concerns again, but the Indians are optimistic he'll be able to take the necessary steps in his development. He'll be ready for Class A in 2021. -
TRACK RECORD: Toribio signed with the Giants for $300,000 and immediately impressed in each of his first two seasons at the Rookie levels. The Giants promoted him to short-season Salem-Keizer as an 18-year-old in 2019 when he helped the Volcanoes push toward the playoffs. The Giants brought him to the alternate training site in 2020.
SCOUTING REPORT: As a third baseman, there is going to be pressure for Toribio to show big power, but right now his profile leans toward hitting instead of mashing. The Giants believe he has raw juice--generated by above-average bat speed and average hand speed--but his passive approach and a flat bat path leaves it muted. They've suggested hunting fastballs might help him unlock his power, even if it comes at the expense of some batting average and on-base percentage. Toribio is a below-average defender at third base who gets into trouble when he tries to do too much. The Giants have toyed with the idea of moving him to second base, where his strong arm could be an asset in certain defensive shifts. Though the sample size was small, Toribio was eaten up by lefties in the Rookie-level Arizona League, and there are concerns about him hitting southpaws in the long term.
THE FUTURE: Understandably, Toribio struggled a bit at the alternate training site against older, more wily pitchers. He'll move to low Class A in 2021 and will try to steer his future toward staying at third base and showing more power. -
TRACK RECORD: Topa had Tommy John surgery in college in 2011 and, after signing with the Pirates for $70,000 as a 13th-round pick in 2013, had a second Tommy John surgery in 2015. He was released and spent 2017 pitching in the independent Can-Am League before signing a minor league deal with the Rangers in 2018. Topa joined the Brewers on a minor league deal in 2019 and reached Double-A. He generated buzz at the alternate training site and earned his first big league callup in September as a 29-year-old.
SCOUTING REPORT: Topa flourished in his brief time in Milwaukee and didn't look like a fluke. He throws a heavy sinker that sits at 96-99 mph with lively armside run and peaks at 100 mph. His plus slider plays well off his fastball with two-plane depth and deep lateral break. Both pitches are swing-and-miss weapons against both righties and lefties. Topa has demonstrated plus control throughout his career and didn't issue a single walk 7.2 innings with the Brewers. FUTURE: Already entering his 30s, Topa's window to produce is limited. He has the high-octane stuff to be a key reliever for the Brewers right away in 2021. -
TRACK RECORD: Tommy John surgery sidelined Moss for his first two seasons at Florida but he broke out with a dominant start in the 2016 Southeastern Conference tournament, and the Reds drafted him in the fourth round. He's shown solid stuff in pro ball, and was included in the trade that sent Trevor Bauer to the Reds. He got to Triple-A after the trade and spent 2020 at the alternate training site.
SCOUTING REPORT: Moss has a big, strong frame and since getting into pro ball has proved to be dependable, throwing more than 130 innings from 2017-19. His fastball sits in the low 90s, gets up to 94 mph, and is capable of producing swings and misses. He combines it with a slider that can be plus and a changeup that makes for a quality third option. Moss pitched with average control early in his career but saw his walk rate balloon in 2019. The Indians have worked with him to get back to throwing more strikes since he joined the organization, but it's unlikely he'll ever have better than average command.
THE FUTURE: Moss did not make his major league debut in 2020, but, given the circumstances of the season, only so much can be taken from that. He'll likely return to Triple-A and figures to be in the mix for a spot in the big leagues in 2021. -
TRACK RECORD: Though the Yankees were in the international penalty box in 2016, they still unearthed several gems in Jose Devers (since traded to Miami), Oswald Peraza and Contreras, who was a product of the same training program in the Dominican Republic that produced Gary Sanchez and Miguel Andujar. Contreras was part of a talented group of pitchers at low Class A Charleston in 2019 but was not brought to the Yankees alternate training site in 2020. The Pirates acquired him as one of four players for Jameson Taillon after the season.
SCOUTING REPORT: Contreras showed a small uptick in his velocity and averaged 95 mph on his fastball in spring training before camps shut down. The development of his breaking ball will be key. It's been more of an inconsistent slurve in the past, but he worked to make it more of a firm slider during limited time in 2020. His well-regarded changeup features both horizontal and vertical movement and is thrown with enough confidence to be effective against both righties and lefties. He's shown above-average control at every stop in the minors so far.
THE FUTURE: Contreras worked remotely with Yankees pitching coach Dustin Glant during the shutdown and should be in decent pitching shape despite the lost year of development. He has back-of-the-rotation potential if his breaking ball comes along. -
TRACK RECORD: Though Rafaela didn't look much bigger when he signed for $10,000 as a 16-year-old than he did when playing for Curacao in the Little League World Series as an 11-year-old, he's shown not only plus running speed but also surprisingly loud contact in the lower minors. His track record includes a .244/.319/.409 batting line with six home runs and nine stolen bases in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League and short-season Lowell in 2019.
SCOUTING REPORT: Rafaela is hard to miss. His high-energy style of play is evident in every aspect of the game and he turns heads with his unexpected bat speed and ability to put a charge in pitches in the zone, particularly against lefthanders. However, his bat-to-ball skills can work against him given that he's a free-swinger who is prone to weak contact against pitches outside the zone. Still, he has a chance to offer relatively solid impact as a versatile up-the-middle player, at least at second base and shortstop with the possibility of future work in center field.
THE FUTURE: Rafaela's ability to hone his aggressiveness will dictate his future. His most likely role is as a versatile reserve. -
TRACK RECORD: Thompson went from minor league afterthought to World Series reliever in the span of two seasons. He was a dominating sidearm reliever at Campbell, going 16-3, 1.12 over 70 appearances and 161 innings in two seasons. He missed all of 2018 because of Tommy John surgery. The Rays nabbed him for $24,000 in the minor league phase of the 2018 Rule 5 draft that December. A year and a half later he finished second among Rays pitchers with 25 appearances.
SCOUTING REPORT: As a pro, Thompson has gotten more athletic in his weight transfer into his rear leg, but he remains the epitome of a sidearm sinker/slider righthander. His plus low-90s sinker has one of the lowest spin rates in the majors, which gives it dramatically more sink than the average two-seamer to go with average run. He gave up only one extra-base hit and three flyball outs off his sinker in 2020. He'll occasionally sneak a low-90s four-seamer up in the zone to try to surprise a hitter. His plus mid-70s slider destroys normal notions of what a slider should be. It has no depth, but it runs away from righties and in on the hands of lefties. Its lack of depth makes it much tougher for lefties to hit.
THE FUTURE: Thompson's assortment is unusual, and he marries that with above-average command. He has the tools to be a productive, durable reliever. -
TRACK RECORD: Thompson was Auburn's ace the moment he stepped foot on campus as a freshman, but missed his junior year after having Tommy John surgery and his stuff wasn't as crisp when he returned. The Cubs still drafted him in the third round in 2017 and signed him for $511,900. Thompson moved quickly to Double-A in his first full season, but he made only one start in 2019 before going on the injured list with elbow inflammation and received a platelet-rich plasma injection. He returned to pitch well in the Arizona Fall League and spent 2020 at the alternate training site.
SCOUTING REPORT: Thompson is the proverbial bulldog on the mound who stays on the attack, fills up the strike zone and doesn't give in. His stuff is modest with a 90-93 mph fastball, above-average 85-87 mph slider, average 79-81 mph curveball and average 83-85 mph changeup, but he expertly sequences his pitches to keep hitters off balance. He moves the ball around the strike zone with plus control and avoids self-induced mistakes like walks, hit batters and wild pitches.
THE FUTURE: The Cubs added Thompson to the 40-man roster after the 2020 season. If healthy, he has a chance to make his major league debut in 2021. -
TRACK RECORD: Thompson had Tommy John surgery in high school and pitched only one inning his senior year. The Padres still drafted him in the third round in 2016 based on his pre-surgery success. Injuries continued to afflict Thompson in pro ball—he had biceps tendinitis and shoulder inflammation in 2017, a triceps strain in 2018 and elbow issues in 2019—and have contributed to a career 5.08 ERA. But Thompson used the 2020 shutdown to get healthy, and he turned heads at instructional league.
SCOUTING REPORT: Thompson has filled out his 6-foot-7 frame and now sits 94-98 mph on his fastball in short stints. His main secondary is a power slider at 88-90 mph that gets swings and misses. Thompson's 12-to-6 curveball and fading changeup each flashed above-average in the past, but they've taken a back seat to his fastball and slider. Thompson can only locate pitches to his glove side, but that's enough to dominate righthanded batters in 1-2 inning bursts. Lefties see him better and present a difficult matchup.
THE FUTURE: Thompson is likely a reliever moving forward. If he can stay healthy, he has a chance to pitch in middle or late relief. -
TRACK RECORD: The younger brother of Rays outfielder Austin Meadows, Parker was drafted in the second round by the Tigers in 2018 and signed for an above-slot $2.5 million to forgo a Clemson commitment. After slashing .290/.377/.473 in his pro debut, Meadows struggled in 2019 at low Class A West Michigan as one of the Midwest League's youngest players. The Tigers brought him to their alternate training site late in the 2020 season.
SCOUTING REPORT: Meadows moves exceptionally well for his 6-foot-5 frame and is athletic enough to navigate his long arms and legs on both sides of the ball. He has the strength and leverage to access plus raw power, but he struggles to time up pitches because of a lengthy bat path. Whether he can make enough contact will depend on him shortening his swing. Defensively, Meadows profiles near the top of the organization in speed and athleticism and takes good reads and solid routes in center field, though scouts are split on whether he'll stick there as he continues to fill out a large frame.
THE FUTURE: Meadows has plenty of athleticism and physicality to dream on, but will need time. He'll see high Class A in 2021. -
TRACK RECORD: The younger brother of former Cubs pitcher Lendy Castillo, Ivan bounced around a bit before finding his footing. He signed with the Indians in 2011, was drafted by the Blue Jays in the minor league phase of the 2017 Rule 5 Draft and signed with the Padres as a minor league free agent in 2019. He found his third organization was the charm and won the Texas League batting title (.313) at Double-A Amarillo in 2019. His only 2020 action came in the Dominican Winter League, where he hit .273 with a .360 on-base percentage.
SCOUTING REPORT: A late bloomer, Castillo has found his niche as a reliable player who isn’t flashy but gets the job done. He’s the rare switch-hitter who is productive from both sides of the plate, although he is stronger righthanded. He handles velocity, rarely strikes out and has tremendous instincts in the batter’s box. Castillo lacks power and rarely walks, but he consistently gets the bat to the ball and finds a way to get on base. Castillo’s average speed plays up with his excellent baserunning skills, helping him be successful on 74% of stolen base attempts in his career. He is a tick above average defender at second base and shortstop with an average arm, and he has also played third base, center field and left field.
THE FUTURE: Castillo has the well-rounded skillset to be a potential utilityman. He’ll begin 2021 at Triple-A El Paso. -
TRACK RECORD: The younger brother of first baseman Nate Lowe, whom Tampa Bay traded to the Rangers in December, Josh was a first-round pick out of high school as a two-way third baseman/righthander. The Rays moved him to the outfield after his first pro season, reasoning that his speed was a better fit in center. Lowe was supposed to miss time in 2020 as he recovered from shoulder surgery, but the delayed start meant he was ready for the alternate training site. The Rays added him to their 40-man roster after the season.
SCOUTING REPORT: Lowe is a big league-ready center fielder. He is a plus defender with plus speed, and his plus arm fits in right field as well. Lowe's athleticism and defense should get him to the majors, but his bat is what could hold him back from a significant role. He's a fringe-average hitter with swing-andmiss and timing issues. His swing is a little grooved. He has struggled to handle pitchers who can locate up-and-in, as he prefers to get his long arms extended. Pitchers who do stay away can find that his average power gives him the ability to line balls the other way, and he yanks balls down-and-in over the fence.
THE FUTURE: Lowe should be at least a fourth outfielder, but unlike most potential fourth outfielders, he has impact potential. With three plus tools on his scouting report, Lowe could be a star if he takes a big step forward at the plate, but that's a big ask for any hitter. -
TRACK RECORD: The younger brother of Braves minor league C.J. Alexander, Blaze signed with the D-backs for an over-slot $500,000 bonus as an 11th-rounder in 2018. He had a loud debut followed by a so-so first full professional season at low Class A Kane County. His only 2020 action came during instructional league, which was cut short by a rib injury.
SCOUTING REPORT: Alexander has the athletic frame and actions of a big leaguer. His calling card has always been his rifle arm, which has long graded near the top of the 20-to-80 scouting scale. Alexander began to show burgeoning power production during spring training but tends to be overly streaky and needs to better maintain his approach and swing from at-bat to at-bat. Optimistic projections peg him as a potential fringe-average hitter with average power, but he'll need time to get there. Alexander can play shortstop but might fit best as a multi-positional infielder.
THE FUTURE: Alexander will be looking to pick up lost developmental at-bats in 2021. Many see him as a future super-utility type like the Athletics' Chad Pinder. -
TRACK RECORD: The younger brother of Angels infielder David Fletcher, Dominic became the highestdrafted player from Arkansas in four years when the D-backs took him 75th overall pick in 2019. He performed well in the low Class A Midwest League out of the draft and earned good reviews for his play at the alternate training site in 2020.
SCOUTING REPORT: Like his older brother, Fletcher is a fundamentally sound player. He is at his best when he uses his line-drive swing to spray balls to all fields. He can occasionally get pull-happy. Fletcher has solid raw power, which he occasionally taps into during games. He has fringe-average speed but is nevertheless a good defender in center field on account of his good jumps and routes. D-backs people rave about his style of play and believe his ceiling might be higher than some believe, just as happened with his brother.
THE FUTURE: Fletcher doesn't get the attention of other outfielders in the system, but it wouldn't be a shock if he outperforms many others with bigger raw tools. He draws optimistic comparisons with Kole Calhoun, with many others seeing at least a reserve outfielder in the major leagues. -
TRACK RECORD: The Yankees were aggressive on the 2018 international market, signing five of the top 50 players. Alcantara ranked No. 15 on that list and has arguably the highest ceiling of the group, which also included catcher and fellow Top 30 prospect Antonio Gomez. He performed well in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, where he ranked as the circuit's No. 8 prospect.
SCOUTING REPORT: Tall and lithe, Alcantara's body reminds some of Marlins outfielder Lewis Brinson. He's added nearly 20 pounds since signing, and the Yankees believe there's room for even more. His long strides allow him to cover plenty of ground in center field, where his well above-average speed shows up more often than on times from home to first. Alcantara is an aggressive hitter with a big leg kick that can cause him to get out of sync at times. His approach will be tested as he moves through the minors--especially without two levels between the GCL and low Class A--and he'll need to keep his swing in rhythm as much as possible to unlock his true offensive potential.
THE FUTURE: After spending the shutdown in the Dominican Republic, Alcantara finally got back on the field in a semi-official capacity at the Yankees' D.R. instructional league. He should crack low Class A at some point in 2021 and has one of the higher ceilings among the Yankees' group of lower-level prospects. -
TRACK RECORD: The Yankees went big on the international market in 2018, including a foray into Cuba to nab Vargas, who had been expected to sign with Cincinnati, for $2.5 million. He started his career in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, where his quick-twitch athleticism helped him rank No. 9 among the league's Top 20 prospects.
SCOUTING REPORT: The most exciting part about Vargas' development is the addition of roughly 30 pounds of good weight without sacrificing his ability to play a strong defensive shortstop. Vargas' new body also allowed him to reduce a big leg kick in favor of a much quieter swing, which the Yankees believe will go a long way toward him handling high-velocity fastballs. He's a double-plus runner with soft hands and skilled feet and an arm that has improved to correspond with his gains in the weight room.
THE FUTURE: Vargas was at the Yankees' instructional league in the D.R. and should be able to reach low Class A once the minor leagues get going in 2021. He has the ceiling of a leadoff-type shortstop.
Draft Prospects
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School: Central Arizona JC Source: JC
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 20.8
An extra-large lefthander with a 6-foot-1, 270-pound frame, Wilkinson was one of the top pitchers for Central Arizona JC this spring. He started 14 games and posted a 1.07 ERA over 84 innings, with 136 strikeouts and just 19 walks. He was second among Division I juco pitchers in strikeouts, and after the season he pitched in the Cape Cod League, where he struck out 10 and walked just one in nine innings out of the bullpen for Chatham. Wilkinson throws his fastball in the upper 80s, but does an excellent job throwing it for strikes and moving it around the zone. He has good feel for a low-80s changeup and will also mix in a slurvy breaking ball in the upper 70s that blends in shape between a slider and a curve. Wilkinson has a bit of deception in his body with a tilt in his leg kick and a bit of crossfiring action in his landing, though he will need to add more velocity and get into better shape to make the most of his advanced strike-throwing. -
School: Long Beach State Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.5
A three-year starter and consistent offensive performer for Long Beach State, Long had a career-year in 2023 when he slashed .310/.402/.597 and hit 15 home runs and 17 doubles with a 17.2% strikeout rate and 11.4% walk rate. Long earned second team All-Big West honors for his season, which was significantly more powerful than his 2021 and 2022 campaigns. A 6-foot, 210-pound first baseman, Long has a slightly closed off setup with quick hands and a fairly direct path to the ball. He hits the ball hard and managed a 92 mph average exit velocity this spring, with home run power to both gaps. Long’s uptick in game power this spring is important for his profile at the next level, as he’s a below-average runner and likely limited to first base. He’s always hit for average and gotten on base at a strong clip, though Long did struggle in 40 games in the Cape Cod League in 2022, when he slashed .210/.320/.381 with 41 strikeouts and 14 walks. His performance this spring could make him a late day two draft target. -
School: Canisius Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: -
In three seasons at Canisius, Duffy has consistently filled the strike zone. He posted a 4.13 ERA this season in 80.2 innings with 28 walks, and his 119 strikeouts were the most in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. Duffy does it with a below-average fastball, topping out at 94 mph and cruising at 88-92 mph. It’s not overpowering and there’s some funk to his arm action as he hooks his wrist, but he gets good extension and pounds the zone with his fastball, throwing it for a strike at a 70% clip. Duffy is able to keep hitters off balance with an average changeup, which has good separation off his fastball at 78-81 mph. He sells it well with his arm speed and it runs away from lefties. Duffy commands his slider well, too, which has helped it be effective against MAAC hitters, but it’s a fringe-average pitch that lacks tight spin (1,900-2,000 rpm) or much power in the mid-to-upper 70s. A team that believes strongly in Duffy’s pitchability or thinks it can help him add velocity could take him in the later rounds. -
School: Bryant Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.7
Picard struggled as a reliever at Hartford as a freshman in 2021 before transferring to Bryant in 2022. Moved to a starting role this spring, Picard generated buzz in February when he struck out 12, walked one and allowed only one run over five innings in a win at Virginia Tech. He has shown promising stuff with good results—a 3.43 ERA in 42 innings with 59 strikeouts and 12 walks—but without many innings. After his fourth start of the year on March 11, Picard missed a little more than a month due to injury. When he returned, he made six more starts but didn’t reach five innings in any of them until his last start of the year. From his high three-quarters slot, Picard has good carry to his fastball and likes to attack hitters up in the zone with the pitch, which sits at 90-94 mph and touches 95. His main secondary pitch is an average slider with short break that he throws with power in the mid-80s. Some scouts like Picard’s 77-81 mph curveball—it has good depth and spin at 2,500-2,600 rpm—but it doesn’t produce many whiffs. Picard throws a fringe-average changeup at 84-88 mph that he doesn’t use much, leaning more on his breaking balls against lefties. Even counting his collegiate summer league stints, Picard has never thrown more than 50 innings in a season. He likely ends up a reliever in pro ball. -
School: Hernandez HS, Humacao, P.R. Source: HS
Commit/Drafted: Indiana State
Age At Draft: 17.8
A Puerto Rican catcher with a lean, 6-foot, 175-pound frame, Gonzalez has high defensive upside with a huge arm from behind the plate. He showed tremendous arm speed and arm strength at Perfect Game’s National Showcase in 2022, with one of the stronger arms at the event and plus-plus future potential for the tool. He also took part in the 2023 MLB Draft Combine and showed one of the best pure arms at that event when competing against college catchers for the honor, though he could improve his throwing accuracy and sharpen up his footwork. He moves around well behind the plate and has a chance to be a plus defender at the position as well. Gonzalez also impressed offensively during the fall at Perfect Game’s WWBA World Championship in Jupiter, Fla., where he went 5-for-12 (.417). Gonzalez has some moving parts in his swing, and will get pull-happy at times, but he has shown solid contact ability and a quick, whippy swing that could produce more power as he learns to get behind the ball more consistently. Gonzalez is committed to Indiana State and is young for the class—he’ll still be 17 years old on draft day. -
School: Timberland HS, Wentzville, Mo. Source: HS
Commit/Drafted: Arkansas
Age At Draft: 18.3
BA Grade:50/Extreme
Tools:Fastball: 65. Curveball: 45. Changeup: 45. Control: 40.
One of the most talented lefthanded pitchers in the class, Hachman has now stuff and the sort of physical projection that allows scouts to dream of even more coming in the future. A 6-foot-5, 210-pound southpaw, Hachman has missed time in high school because of an elbow injury, but in 2022 made his way back to the mound and eventually made USA Baseball’s 18U National Team, where he served as a high-octane reliever and struck out nine batters in 3.2 innings. He changed his arm action early this spring which led to less impressive pure stuff and his season was eventually cut short due to a torn ulnar collateral ligament. When healthy, Hachman has shown some of the most electric pure stuff in the class. He pitches in the low 90s, but has been up to 98 mph and his fastball is a high-spin offering with tons of riding action as well. He has a breaking ball that varies between a hard slider and a power curve, and the pitch has flashed plus at times, but it has always been inconsistent and in 2023 it looked well below-average at times. He’s thrown a changeup with solid diving life that could become a viable third offering with more reps. Hachman has always been an erratic strike-thrower and that, plus his injury status, makes him a high-risk prospect. He’s committed to Arkansas. -
School: Dayton Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 23.5
A senior lefthander with a 6-foot-4, 210-pound frame, Manfredi led Dayton in innings this spring during his second year with the program. He posted a 4.99 ERA over 15 starts and 79.1 innings, with a 27% strikeout rate and 10.7% walk rate. After that strong campaign, he headed to the Cape Cod League, where he pitched well with Wareham in his first three starts and posted a 2.08 ERA over 13 innings, with 16 strikeouts and four walks. Manfredi pitches in the 90-94 mph range with his fastball, which has just average life, though a lower release point via a sidearm slot helped it play up and generate a solid, 25% whiff rate this spring. He pitched heavily off the fastball, but used a slider, curveball and changeup each about 10% of the time to round out a four-pitch mix. His slider is a low-80s breaking ball with short action that he mostly throws to the glove side and looks like his best bat-misser, while his mid-70s curveball is slower with more slurve-like shape and is more of a get-me-over offering. His mid-80s changeup hasn’t been much of a swing-and-miss pitch, though he has used it to generate a solid number of weakly hit ground balls. Manfredi could be an interesting senior sign on day three who brings unique release point traits to the table. -
School: Towson Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 20.9
Pecko started his career at La Salle, where he redshirted due to injury for the 2021 season, then transferred to Towson in 2022, where he pitched his way into the team’s starting rotation. After throwing just 17.2 innings as a redshirt sophomore, Pecko had his most complete season this spring in 2023. He posted a 3.43 ERA over 11 starts and 42 innings, with a 24.9% strikeout rate and 10.9% walk rate. Following the season, Pecko pitched for Wausau in the Northwoods League, where he excelled and posted a 1.04 ERA through five starts and 26 innings, with 36 strikeouts and eight walks. Pecko is mostly a sinker/slider pitcher who works with an old school, overhead windup and throws his fastball in the 91-93 mph range and touches 95. He generated both whiffs and ground balls with the pitch in 2023 and used a low-80s, high-spin slider with occasional two-plane bite as his go-to secondary. The pitch gets into the 2,700 rpm range and generated a 45% miss rate this spring. He also infrequently used a mid-80s changeup and slower, upper-70s curveball. -
School: San Joaquin Delta (Calif.) JC Source: JC
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: -
A smaller righthander with a 6-foot-1, 170-pound frame, Watson pitched well this spring with San Joaquin Delta (Calif.) JC. In 57.2 innings Watson posted a 2.97 ERA with 82 strikeouts and 21 walks. He has a fast arm and touches 95 mph with his fastball, and also shows a solid curveball and fringe-average changeup. Watson profiles as a reliever at the next level, but has solid enough stuff and performance to be a day three draft target. -
School: Texas Christian Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.6
Nunez is a speedy, lefthanded-hitting outfielder with a gap-to-gap swing and a 5-foot-10, 180-pound frame. This spring he hit .288/.399/.413 with three home runs, 17 doubles, a 20.8% strikeout rate and a 12.5% walk rate. He’s a strong fastball hitter who makes a lot of contact and has handled 92-plus mph velocity well, but he doesn’t have much power and instead will need to rely on driving balls into the gaps and using his speed. He has a tendency to get out in front on breaking pitches, and his miss rates against sliders and curveballs are some cause for concern, but he is a solid defender in center field with above-average speed—which should lower the bar for his offensive expectations. -
School: Connecticut Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 20.7
After two years at Rhode Island College, a Division III program, Sears transferred to Connecticut and immediately stepped into the Huskies rotation. Sears gave up a lot of hard contact, resulting in a 6.24 ERA, but his peripheral numbers (a 74-23 K-BB in 62 innings) were better and he has scouts intrigued by his stuff despite a rocky introduction to the Big East. He also doesn’t turn 21 until October, so he’s young for a college junior. At 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, Sears pitches from the first base side of the rubber, has long arms and a low three-quarter slot, creating unusual angle for hitters. He pitches in the low 90s and can reach 95 mph, though his fastball lacks much life and it got hammered this spring. His best results came when he threw his 78-82 mph slider, a pitch that’s more effective because of its angle than the raw power, spin or shape of the pitch itself. Sears’ low-80s changeup isn’t particularly lively, but it has good separation off his fastball and was an effective pitch this spring when he mixed it in against righties. Despite the results, Sears has underlying traits that pique the interest of some scouts, making him a potential late-round pick, though a return to UConn to try to elevate his stock with a big 2024 campaign seems most likely. -
School: Sumner (Wash.) HS Source: HS
Commit/Drafted: Oregon
Age At Draft: 18
Bresnahan wasn’t on the national scene for much of the showcase circuit in 2022, so he went under the radar, but has impressed scouts during the spring with a strong senior season. Listed at 6-foot-3, 175 pounds, Bresnahan pounds the zone with lots of strikes and throws with a loose and easy delivery and three-quarter slot and a slight crossfiring finish. He has a three-pitch mix that includes an 87-92 mph fastball, a curveball that is a work in progress and a changeup that has a chance to be an above-average pitch. Bresnahan is on the younger end of the class and doesn’t turn 18 until a few days before the draft. He is committed to Oregon. -
School: California Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 23.1
Kretzschmar spent three seasons with Dartmouth, which culminated in a standout 2022 campaign where he hit .353/.406/.635 with seven home runs and 16 doubles. Following the season, the 6-foot-2, 205-pound outfielder transferred to California, where he’s continued to hit at a high level in the Pac-12. Kretzschmar hit .322/.391/.608 with a career-high 13 home runs and 14 doubles. Kretzschmar hits the ball hard and did a nice job shoring up an overly aggressive approach that he showed at the beginning of the season, and he has an excellent in-zone contact rate. He’s a fringy defender in right field, but as a lefthanded hitter with a bit of pop and a solid ability to use the entire field, could be an interesting day three senior sign. -
School: Point Loma Nazarene (Calif.) Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 22.6
Hillier had a bit of a harsh introduction to college baseball in 2021, during his first season with Division II Point Loma Nazarene (Calif.). He threw just 6.1 innings as a freshman and allowed 10 hits, nine earned runs, two homers and struck out two while walking four. He quickly adapted, however, and became a lockdown reliever for the Sea Lions in both the 2022 and 2023 seasons. As a junior in 2023 the 6-foot-2, 195-pound righthander posted a 2.20 ERA over 41 innings and 23 appearances, with 49 strikeouts and 23 walks. He has a high-spin pitch mix and mostly works off a fastball and slider—with the former getting up to 94-95 mph at peak velocity in the past and the latter showing plus potential at times with plenty of late bite. Hiller has shown a changeup in the past, but hasn’t needed to use it much while pitching out of the bullpen. He’s been a below-average strike-thrower, but his high-spin pitch mix could entice some teams on the third day of the draft. -
School: Temecula (Calif.) Valley HS Source: HS
Commit/Drafted: Uncommitted
Age At Draft: 18.2
Cecil wasn’t a prominent pitching prospect on the summer showcase circuit, but he was a late pop-up player late in the 2023 spring. He’s a deep projection lefthander with an extremely lanky and thin, 6-foot-4, 160 pound frame who was throwing in the mid 80s about a year ago. Now he’s pitching more in the 87-90 mph range with some reports of touching 93-94 at peak velocity. He also has feel to throw a breaking ball that could become an average pitch with more power as he gains physicality, and has mixed in a changeup as well. Cecil has positive indicators with his massively projectable frame, velocity trend, loose arm and feel to spin the baseball, but the current minor league system doesn’t incentivize teams to be patient with this sort of profile in pro ball. Scouts remain excited about what he could like three years down the road, and he could be a potential draft-and-follow target if he chooses the juco route. He’s currently uncommitted. -
School: Dallas Baptist Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 22.1
Grady ranked as a top-200 prospect in the 2022 draft class after a .310/.419/.509 season with a career-high 10 home runs. He went undrafted and returned to Dallas Baptist for his fourth season with the program, and now looks like a solid senior sign candidate or day three prospect following yet another strong campaign. The 5-foot-9, 178-pound switch-hitter hit .309/.416/.534 with 12 home runs and also walked more than he struck out for the first time in his college career. He’s hit a handful of home runs from both the right and left side of the plate this spring, but projects as a 40-grade power hitter at the next level and should find more success by driving balls into the gaps. Grady has consistently been a good fastball hitter and continued to handle 92-plus mph velocity in 2023, with a 1.179 OPS against those pitches in a 131-pitch sample. He’s a solid-average runner who should be a fine defender in the outfield, and while he played mostly right field for DBU this spring, a fringe-average arm makes him a better fit for left field in pro ball. -
School: Pima (Ariz.) JC Source: JC
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.8
Imhoff is a tall and lanky lefthanded pitcher with a 6-foot-8, 190-pound frame that scouts can dream on for the future. He was one of the best pitchers for Pima (Ariz.) JC this spring, and posted a 3.78 ERA over 16 starts and 81 innings, with 108 strikeouts and 35 walks. His 108 strikeouts were good for 11th in the country among D1 juco pitchers, and he primarily pitched off a fastball/curveball combination. Imhoff mostly pitched in the 88-92 mph range and spun a mid-70s curveball with 1-to-7 shape that occasionally flashed solid shape and finish. There’s not a lot of present impact or pure stuff, but with his size, handedness and performance this spring, it wouldn’t be hard to see a team pick him on day three and try to layer on strength and velocity in pro ball. -
School: Georgia Premier Academy, Statesboro, Ga. Source: HS
Commit/Drafted: Georgia
Age At Draft: 19.1
Phelps has one of the more unusual profiles of the 2023 high school class as a right-right bat-first infielder who reclassified backwards from the 2022 class. Now on the older end for the class, Phelps will be 19 on draft day and if he makes it to campus at Georgie he’ll be a draft-eligible sophomore in 2025. Phelps is a solid athlete, with present strength in his 6-foot-2, 215-pound frame and he has shown solid hitting ability with solid power to go with it. He also runs well for his size. Where he fits best defensively is likely the biggest question about Phelps’ profile, as he has an unusual, short-arm throwing action and below-average arm strength that likely doesn’t fit at third base or either middle infield position. He’s an adept defender at first base, with active footwork around the bag, great hands and impressive leaping ability, but there’s also a chance he fits in left field. Either position has a high bar to clear offensively, so many scouts could be inclined to see him get to campus at Athens and prove his bat against SEC competition. A Tre’ Morgan (LSU) comp doesn’t seem crazy and could represent a solid outcome for Phelps with solid production in the SEC. -
School: Groton (Mass.) School Source: HS
Commit/Drafted: Michigan
Age At Draft: 19.5
A Massachusetts commit, Vigue turns 20 in December, so he’s old for the class and would be a draft-eligible sophomore in 2025 if he gets to campus. He’s 6-foot-3, 200 pounds with a fastball that can touch 94 mph and the physical projection for him to throw harder. He sits at 90-93 mph early in outings, though after the first few innings he hasn’t held that velocity. The biggest weapon for Vigue is his slider. It’s a power pitch that he can run up to 87 mph and mostly operates at 83-86. It’s not a short, cutter-like slider, either. It has deep sweep across the zone with sharp break to pile up whiffs and flash as a plus pitch. His slider is his go-to pitch, but he also shows feel to spin a curveball at 79-81 mph to give hitters another look. Vigue has a changeup but hasn’t thrown it much yet. Vigue’s fastball control will need to improve, with a history of too many walks and effort to his operation that makes it more challenging for him to repeat his delivery. He should continue to develop as a starter but could end up a reliever with a potential out pitch in his slider. -
School: Miami (Ohio) Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.2
Zaborowski stood out in high school for his massive 6-foot-5 frame and gaudy exit velocity numbers off the bat. He ranked as the No. 442 player in the 2020 class, but made it to campus at Grand Canyon, where he struggled to hit in 2021—he slashed .226/.318/.355 in 32 games—and then transferred to Miami (Ohio). Before he started his Redhawks career, Zaborowski had a solid turn in the Appalachian League, where he hit .372/.500/.694 with nine home runs. During the 2023 season Zaborowski finally tapped into his huge raw power at the NCAA level, and hit .300/.402/.686 with 20 home runs and 14 doubles. Now listed at 6-foot-6, 235 pounds, Zaborowski sets up with a crouched, even stance and has a toe tap load before firing his hands through the zone with minimal pre-pitch movement. He has a tendency to hit around the baseball and pull out to the left field side, so he doesn’t project as an average hitter given that and his contact issues (26% miss rate, 25.6% strikeout rate), but he has plus raw power and has the ability to drive the ball out of most parks. Zaborowski has played a bit of third base and first base, but he is likely limited to first base in pro ball. -
School: Utah Valley Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 22.9
Anderson is a 6-foot-4, 185-pound senior righthander who has pitched with four different programs since entering college. After a few seasons in the juco ranks, Anderson pitched with Utah Valley this spring, where he turned in his most complete season. He pitched as a starter and reliever and posted a 3.53 ERA over 63.2 innings, with a 30.3% strikeout rate and 8.8% walk rate. He sits 92-93 mph with his fastball and has been up to 96 with the pitch and throws it with fringe-average control and below-average command. Anderson also has a low-to-mid-80s slider that generated a 46% miss rate this spring, and mixes in a mid-80s changeup—though he used the pitch just 6% of the time. He turns 23 shortly after the draft and could be a day two money saver or a day three pick on pure talent. For teams with the unique combination of valuing performance highly but not weighing age, his No. 9 FIP (3.57) among Division I arms could be appealing. -
School: South Carolina Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Orioles ’22 (15)
Age At Draft: 22.2
Hicks pitched two years at Crowder (Mo.) JC before heading to South Carolina for the 2022 season, where he threw just seven innings, but was drafted by the Orioles in the 15th round. Instead of signing, Hicks went back to Columbia for his age-22 season and second with the program, and posted a 3.51 ERA over 66.2 innings with a 20.4% strikeout rate and 5.1% walk rate. Listed at 6-foot-2, 190 pounds, Hicks is a sinker/slider righty who attacks with a 90-93 mph fastball that will touch 94. The pitch has around 19 inches of horizontal break and runs in on righthanded hitters from a lower, three-quarter slot. He pairs the pitch with a low-80s slider that has reasonable two-plane break and is his best swing-and-miss offering. Hicks has used a slower curveball in the mid 70s and occasionally flashed a mid-80s changeup that has solid arm-side fade—but he uses the fastball/slider combination nearly 90% of the time. -
School: Oregon Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 22.2
Nishida is an outlier in many ways in the 2023 draft class. It starts with his physique, which is one of the smallest in the class—high school or college—at just 5-foot-6, 150 pounds. Next is his setup at the plate, where he starts with an extremely open stance before taking a large leg kick to get back toward an even setup. He’s very active in the box and will constantly shuffle his feet and move back toward the catcher or further up in the box toward the pitcher in the middle of a delivery. Despite all the moving parts, Nishida has excellent pure bat-to-ball skills and struck out at just an 8.7% rate through 63 games, while slashing .312/.394/.443. His overall miss rate was just 16%. Nishida has 20-grade raw power and will be more likely to bunt for a hit than hit a ball over the fence in pro ball. He is an expert at bunting, and has plus speed that could allow a slap-and-dash approach to be viable when paired with his contact ability. He’s an aggressive base runner who went 25-for-33 (75.8%) in stolen base attempts this spring and scouts praise both his defensive ability at second base and his overall instincts on the diamond. The list of successful big leaguers at Nishida’s size is exceedingly small, and because of that he faces an uphill battle and is unlikely to command anything greater than day three draft stock. -
School: Elkhorn (Neb.) HS Source: HS
Commit/Drafted: Nebraska
Age At Draft: 18.8
Harrahill has a premium pitching frame at 6-foot-4, 215 pounds and throws from a full, overhead windup that features drop-and-drive action as he moves towards the plate. He throws with a three-quarter slot and has a clean arm stroke, though there are some inconsistencies in his timing and release point. When he’s synced up he does a good job throwing a low-90s fastball that has been up to 94 at the bottom of the zone with good downhill angle. There’s some feel to spin the baseball, but his slurvy, 79-82 mph in-between breaking ball needs a bit more consistency. He’ll mix in a solid low-80s changeup to lefthanded hitters to keep them off balance. Harrahill is committed to Nebraska. -
School: St. Charles (Ill.) East HS Source: HS
Commit/Drafted: Illinois
Age At Draft: 18.4
Zitella is a filled-out and strong, 5-foot-11, 200-pound third baseman. He has impressive present power thanks to a whippy swing that works well to the pull side and should allow him to get to at least 55-grade raw power and a chance for plus juice in the future. He posted a 99 mph exit velocity during the 2022 Perfect Game National Showcase, which was one of the higher marks of the event. He swings to do damage, but has a tendency to pull out and get under the baseball, so he could be a power-over-hit offensive profile and will need to prove his hitting chops at the next level. Zitella has fine hands and solid arm strength that could allow him to stick at third base, though he’ll need to improve his actions and get rid of the ball a bit quicker on double plays and in-between plays once the game speeds up. He’s a fringy runner. Zitella is committed to Illinois. -
School: Mississippi State Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 22.9
Larry started his college career with East Central (Miss.) JC, where he spent two seasons, before he transferred to New Orleans and put up a terrific .370/.477/.578 slash line with nine home runs and 16 stolen bases in 2022. He transferred to Mississippi State for the 2023 season, where the 5-foot-11, 190-pound second baseman served as the team’s leadoff hitter in the early going of the year before cooling down offensively throughout conference play. Overall he hit .297/.451/.512 with seven home runs and 16 doubles. Larry has a solid idea of the zone and doesn’t strike out often, with just an 11.2% rate in 2023 compared to a 14.7% walk rate. He has below-average power and hits a lot of balls on the ground—with all seven of his home runs going to the pull side. Larry will turn in plus run times from home to first and can make soft ground balls a pain for defenders, and also went 19-for-21 (90.5%) in stolen bases attempts in 2023. He’s old for the class and turns 23 shortly after the draft, but could be an interesting day three target as a middle infielder with some speed and a solid batting eye. -
School: Cramer HS, Belmont, N.C. Source: HS
Commit/Drafted: Campbell
Age At Draft: 18.1
Brittain is a 6-foot-4, 198-pound righthander with high-octane velocity in his right arm, but very little feel for where it’s going. He has been regularly into the mid 90s with his fastball over the last few years and scouts have seen him up to 98 in 2023. This spring with his Cramer High School team he struck out 101 batters in just 44 innings, but he also walked 33. It’s near bottom-of-the-scale control and command, and Brittain throws with a high-effort delivery and has the sort of downer head whack that leaves him picking his hat up off the ground after most pitches. Brittain is also a talented shortstop and he led his team in hitting this spring, so scouts are hopeful that as he continues to focus more on pitching, he’ll add a bit of refinement and take steps forward with his secondaries, which are used infrequently. Brittain is committed to Campbell, which has become an excellent pitching development program in recent years, but it’s possible a team takes a flier on his immense arm talent out of high school. -
School: Texas A&M Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 22.9
Werner is a powerfully built third baseman who has plenty of strength and power in his 6-foot-3, 225-pound frame. He’s dealt with injuries throughout his career at Texas A&M and prior to the 2023 season never played more than 33 games, but as a fourth-year junior Werner had the best season of his career. He hit .252/.349/.514 with 14 home runs, 13 doubles and a career-high 13.4% walk rate. His numbers actually improved in conference play this spring, but Werner has always been a hitter who has struggled with contact. His career strikeout rate sits at 26.1% and he struggles to barrel up breaking stuff and offspeed pitches—with a 39% miss rate versus those pitch types. When Werner does make contact the ball goes far, and he has the ability to homer to all fields, with a 90th percentile exit velocity around 107 mph. He’s a solid athlete and moves well at the hot corner, where he has solid hands and at least above-average arm strength. -
School: Washington State Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 23.5
Grillo is on the older end for the 2023 class after starting his college career at Spokane (Wash.) Falls JC back in 2019, though he has a surprisingly limited amount of innings under his belt thanks to a Covid-canceled season and a redshirt year with Washington State in 2021. Grillo was off to an electric start as a back-end closer for Washington State early in 2023, with a 2.79 ERA over 9.2 innings with a 14-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio, but he got hit around significantly more in conference play. He finished with a 9.16 ERA in just 18.2 total innings, with a 33.7% strikeout rate and 12% walk rate. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound righthander pitches off a 93 mph fastball that touches 96, and actually uses a low-80s slider more than half the time. Given its 60% whiff rate that’s perhaps not a huge surprise. -
School: Harvard Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.9
Clark mostly operated out of the bullpen his first two years at Harvard, but he has been in the rotation this spring. He’s allowed a 4.93 ERA, but he also struck out 93 in 65.2 innings. Clark has appealing arm strength, running his fastball up to 97 mph and sitting at 91-95 mph as a starter, though Ivy League hitters still were able to square up his fastball. His command got him in trouble, as he walked 32 batters (4.4 BB/9), hit 11 more and uncorked 10 wild pitches. His fringe-average slider at 78-82 mph has its moments with good lateral break, an effective pitch against his current competition level but one that scouts have concerns about against more advanced hitters. Later in the season, Clark introduced a hard, short cutter in the upper 80s that some scouts felt could become his go-to pitch off his fastball. Clark also throws a below-average changeup in the mid 80s. He should draw interest from teams from the 11th round on as a potential day three pick. -
School: Bixby (Okla.) HS Source: HS
Commit/Drafted: Oklahoma State
Age At Draft: 18.7
Knight is a projection two-way player with a lanky frame, long levers and upside as both a hitter and pitcher at the next level. On the mound, he works with a deliberate windup and clean arm action, with an in-line finish to the plate and a bit of head whack. He pitches in the upper 80s and occasionally gets to 90-91 mph, but has more in the tank thanks to a projectable, 6-foot-3, 190-pound frame. Knight also has a high-spin curveball in the mid 70s with 1-to-7 shape and impressive depth and finish that looks like a real weapon. He’s mixed in a changeup around 80 mph that gives him a solid third offering. Knight has some power potential as a lefthanded hitter and first baseman, but the swing has plenty of length and there are some questions about how much contact he’ll make at the next level. He is committed to Oklahoma State. -
School: Boston College Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.8
At 6-foot-8, 250 pounds, West is a behemoth on the mound. His first two seasons at Boston College, he came out of the bullpen and the results weren’t pretty, with a 10.36 ERA and a 31-23 K-BB mark in 33 innings as a sophomore in 2022. This season, West moved to the starting rotation and the results have been better, with a 4.52 ERA in 61.2 innings, 63 strikeouts and 22 walks. He was at his best toward the end of the season, sparking some hope that he could be taking another step forward. Pitching from the first base side of the rubber, West is tall but drops down to throw slightly across his body from a low three-quarter slot with a fastball that sits 90-93 mph and has hit 96. That’s an uptick from where he was his first two seasons, when he was pitching in the upper 80s and topping out at 93 mph. He also threw more strikes with both his fastball and his slider than he did the previous year. He has feel to spin an 82-85 mph slider around 2,500 rpm that will flash as an average pitch. West will mix in a rare changeup, but it’s almost exclusively a fastball/slider attack. West should get a chance to develop as a starter in pro ball, though his long-term future could be in the bullpen. -
School: Effingham (Ill.) HS Source: HS
Commit/Drafted: Missouri
Age At Draft: 19.1
During the 2022 summer, McDevitt threw his fastball in the upper 80s and touched 91-92 mph. This spring, the 6-foot-2, 195-pound righthander has shown better velocity and in some outings has pitched in the low 90s and touched as high as 95 mph. He has solid arm speed, with a deep hooking action in the back of his arm stroke, and attacks hitters with a three-quarter slot. He’s also added power to his breaking ball, and now throws the pitch in the upper 70s and low 80s, with solid late finish to his glove side and two-plane shape. McDevitt has also thrown a low-80s changeup that could become a solid third offering with gradual fading life. McDevitt is committed to Missouri. He’s old for the class, will be 19 on draft day and will be eligible in 2025 as a sophomore if he makes it to campus. -
School: Miami (Ohio) Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.1
Leach is a 6-foot-3, 220-pound righthander who has flashed impressive stuff when he’s been on the mound over the last few years, but he’s also battled a number of injuries that have capped his collegiate innings to just 54 since 2021. He started his career with Creighton and then transferred to Miami (Ohio) for the 2023 season, where he posted a 5.46 ERA over 31.1 innings with a 36.8% strikeout rate and 14% walk rate. He has a solid four-pitch mix with a fastball in the low 90s that has been up to 96, as well as a pair of high-spin breaking balls and a firm, upper-80s changeup. His mid-80s slider is his go-to breaking ball, a pitch he used 33% of the time this spring and gets into the 2,600 rpm range. His 80 mph 12-to-6 curveball gets even higher spin rates and pushed the 3,000 rpm threshold, with impressive depth and spin. Both pitches have above-average potential. Leach likely would have been a day two talent if healthy, but with his injury questions, he might fit on the third day of the draft. -
School: California Baptist Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.1
Simon is a 6-foot-1, 180-pound third baseman who has put up big power numbers in back-to-back seasons for California Baptist. After homering 15 times in 2022, Simon slashed .301/.352/.633 and hit 19 home runs, with 19 doubles, a 31.2% strikeout rate and a 7.1% walk rate. His raw power and arm strength are the loudest tools he possesses, though his game power comes with plenty of swing-and-miss. His peak exit velocity this spring was around 111 mph, but he also managed a contact rate of just 64%, and he both expanded the zone and swung and missed entirely too much on secondary offerings. A team could bet on his raw power on the third day of the draft. -
School: Middleton (Idaho) HS Source: HS
Commit/Drafted: Texas-San Antonio
Age At Draft: 18.8
Only two high school players have been drafted and signed out of Idaho in the bonus pool era: outfielder Mason Smith in 2013 to the Padres and catcher Alex Guerrero in 2018 to the Yankees. In 2023, Orloski is the top name from the state, and if he is drafted and signed he’ll become the first pitcher of the group. A 6-foot-2, 175-pound righthander, Orloski has a high-energy windup and fast arm, with a few moving parts and some effort throughout his finish. He has mostly pitched in the 88-92 mph range, but will sit in the low 90s early in starts with bat-missing qualities to his fastball. During the 2022 Area Code Games, Orloski showed a 79-81 mph slurvy breaking ball that varied in shape but lacked hard bite, though scouts this spring have spoken more positively about his breaking ball and think it could become a solid secondary pitch. He has also flashed a decent low-80s changeup that has shown well versus lefthanders. Orloski played both ways for his Middleton High School team this spring and hit nearly .500, but his future lies on the mound. He’s committed to Texas-San Antonio. -
School: North Carolina State Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 22.6
Highfill ranked as the No. 341 prospect in the 2022 class, but pitched just six games that season after dealing with a back injury. After going undrafted and returning to North Carolina State for his 2023 senior season, Highfill posted a 4.83 ERA over 54 innings—with most of those coming out of the bullpen. His fastball has always been his carrying tool. The pitch sits in the low 90s and has been up to 95, but what sets it apart is the immense riding life and carry, with more than 20 inches of induced vertical break. He generated whiffs on the pitch 25% of the time this spring. Highfill also throws a low-80s slider and mid-80s changeup. He could be an interesting senior target on day three for teams that value his fastball shape. -
School: Northwest Guilford HS, Greensboro, N.C. Source: HS
Commit/Drafted: East Carolina
Age At Draft: 18.3
Carter is a 6-foot, 190-pound outfielder who has an intriguing mix of physical tools. An above-average runner, Carter ran a 6.47-second 60-yard dash during the 2022 Perfect Game National Showcase, and also threw 90 mph from the outfield and flashed some pop from the right side of the plate. With solid power and speed tools, Carter has a bit of upside in the tank, but scouts are skeptical of his swing, which gets choppy at times and is quickly in and out of the zone. He has a high back elbow and could do a better job getting on plane with the baseball. He’s also shown some swing-and-miss tendencies against 90-plus mph velocity and will need more reps against quality pitching. Because of the swing questions, there’s a chance Carter reaches campus at East Carolina, where he’ll have an opportunity to prove his hitting chops with a college program that has done a nice job developing hitters in recent years. -
School: Riverside HS, Leesburg, Va. Source: HS
Commit/Drafted: Duke
Age At Draft: 18
Johnson is a 6-foot-1, 205-pound lefthander and outfielder who has flashed tools on both sides of the ball. On the mound, he works with an up-tempo delivery and has a clean, three-quarter arm slot that he repeats consistently, with good balance in his finish. He pitches in the 89-92 mph range and has been up to 93-94 at peak velocity this spring, and also mixes in a slow breaking ball and a changeup. Johnson’s breaking ball is loopy and lacks bite at times, so it’ll need more work at the next level to develop a consistent shape and turn into a swing-and-miss offering. His changeup has shown hard darting action away from righthanded hitters and looks like a solid secondary. Offensively, Johnson showed solid bat-to-ball skills as a righthanded hitter, but he has below-average raw power. He’s a solid runner and has above-average arm strength in the outfield. Johnson is a Duke commit who turns 18 only a few days before the draft. -
School: East Carolina Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21
Moylan was a prominent name out of high school and was then frequently compared to East Carolina’s Spencer Brickhouse. It was a fitting comp with Moylan following in his footsteps and playing for ECU, where he has been a solid hitter outside of a down 2022 season. In 2023 Moylan slashed .302/.412/.587 with 15 home runs, 20 doubles, a 22% strikeout rate and a 12.5% walk rate. A 6-foot-4, 216-pound first baseman, Moylan has plenty of raw power that has mostly played to straight center field and to the pull side in right, and he pairs size with big exit velocity numbers including a 92.9 mph average exit velocity during the regular season. Moylan was more of a fastball hitter during the 2023 campaign, with a 1.330 OPS versus heaters, and great production versus 92-plus mph velocity as well, but there was a significant amount of swing-and-miss on secondaries, and he has traditionally been viewed as a power-over-hit offensive profile. Moylan could be an interesting day three pick for a team high on his lefthanded power. -
School: Douglas County HS, Castle Rock, Colo. Source: HS
Commit/Drafted: Brigham Young
Age At Draft: 18.6
Stanley is a 6-foot-3, 180-pound righthander who showed solid feel for a number of secondary offerings during the 2022 showcase circuit. He was a junk ball pitcher who had better command of his slider, curveball and changeup at Perfect Game National and the Area Code Games in 2022, though he has pitched in the 89-91 mph range this spring and touched 93—which is a few ticks higher than what he was throwing in the summer. Stanley throws a low-80s slider and an upper-70s curveball with 12-to-6 shape that both look like solid breaking balls. The pitches have distinct shape and he’s done a nice job burying them and putting them beneath the strike zone to elicit chases and whiffs. He’s also shown a quality changeup in the 80-82 mph range that he sells with good arm speed. He had such confidence in the pitch that he tripled up on it and got three swings and misses versus Kevin McGonigle—one of the best pure hitters in the class—in one prominent outing last summer. If Stanley can improve his fastball command, he should have a quality and deep four-pitch mix. Stanley is committed to Brigham Young and is expected to be a tough sign. -
School: Santa Clara Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 22.8
Kitchen is a short and filled-out righthander with a 5-foot-11, 200-pound frame who has been a reliable arm for Santa Clara for four straight seasons. Kitchen ranked as the No. 435 prospect in the 2022 class after posting a 4.35 ERA over 14 starts and 72.1 innings and essentially replicated that season in 2023. He posted a 4.20 ERA over 16 starts and 81.1 innings with a nearly identical 10.5% walk rate, though his strikeout rate fell significantly, from 30.4% to 19.3%. He continued to throw his fastball in the low 90s and touch 94 with the pitch, which has good carry and is thrown from a lower-than-average release height, but the pitch generated fewer whiffs than it did in 2022. He did add more power to a slider that is now in the low 80s with around eight inches of horizontal break and will also mix in a mid-80s changeup. -
School: Frontier HS, Bakersfield, Calif. Source: HS
Commit/Drafted: UCLA
Age At Draft: 19.1
A projection righthander with a loose and fast arm, Rodriguez is listed at 6-foot-4, 195 pounds and showed an uptick in velocity early in the spring. After pitching mostly in the 89-92 mph range last summer, Rodriguez got up to 93-94 mph for a few innings before the velocity ticked back down to the 89-93 mph range, with a bit of running life on the heater. He has two breaking balls: a slow curveball in the lower 70s and a slider that’s a bit harder. The two pitches don’t always have distinct and separate shape, and he needs to further differentiate them and add power to the pitches at the next level. He does have reasonable feel to land both the breaking balls, which excites scouts about their future potential. In addition to refining his spin, Rodriguez will need to make a few tweaks in his delivery, as his direction can be inconsistent and he’s shown a tendency to land with a heavy open side in his finish. While far from a finished product, scouts are intrigued with his arm talent. As a UCLA commit, he could be a difficult sign and is mostly viewed as a day three talent at the moment. -
School: Stetson Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.6
Amaral is a 6-foot, 200-pound righthander who pitched mostly out of the bullpen for Stetson during his first two seasons, but made a strong transition to the starting rotation in 2023. He outperformed his peripherals significantly and posted a 3.30 ERA over 76.1 innings despite just a 24.3% strikeout rate, 11.9% walk rate and 4.11 FIP. Amaral has a lot of funk on the mound, with significant tilt in his leg lift with a pronounced plunge and wrist wrap in the back of his arm stroke before finally firing to the plate. He gets a strong rate of swings and misses with his fastball, a pitch that sits 92-93 mph and touches 96 with plus vertical break, and uses an 80-84 mph slider as his go-to secondary. The slider has a good bit of horizontal movement and flashes two-plane depth at times as well. He’s mixed in a mid-70s curveball with more top-down movement and has flashed a mid-80s changeup but rarely uses either pitch. Amaral benefitted from the lowest home run/fly ball rate of his career at 2.2% this spring, which is notable in a year where seemingly everyone in college baseball was hitting the ball over the fence, but he’ll need to sharpen his control and command at the next level. -
School: Kansas State Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 22.2
Ruhl is a 6-foot-3, 205-pound righthander who has worked out of the bullpen for Kansas State for two seasons after redshirting as a freshman in 2021. He has never posted gaudy numbers or strikeout rates, but he has shown feel for a solid three-pitch mix and took a reasonable step forward with control from 2022 to 2023. In 26 appearances and 61 innings in 2023, Ruhl posted a 5.31 ERA with a 19% strikeout rate and an 8.2% walk rate. He throws a 91-93 mph fastball that gets up to 95 at peak velocity. The pitch has solid sinking and running life and is not a huge bat-misser, but has helped him run a 45.3% groundball rate. In addition to the fastball, Ruhl throws both a slider and a changeup more than 20% of the time. The changeup is his go-to secondary, a mid-80s pitch with solid fading life; and his slider is a few ticks below the changeup with spin in the 2,400 rpm range and moderate glove-side movement, but no hard tilt. No pitch in the arsenal looks plus, but Ruhl’s solid feel for all three, in addition to a still-projectable frame, could give him a solid foundation to build on at the next level. -
School: Arizona Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 23.6
Barraza is old for the class as a fifth-year senior, but he has some intriguing pitch traits for a club who believes they can iron out some of the inconsistencies he’s faced throughout his college career. A 6-foot, 196-pound righthander, Barraza spent time as a starter with New Mexico State in 2020 and 2021, but has been a full-time reliever with Arizona. In 2023 he posted a 6.52 ERA over 29 innings, but his peripherals were much better than that ERA indicates, thanks to a 28.1% strikeout rate, 11.5% walk rate and 3.71 FIP. He attacks hitters from a higher, three-quarter slot and features a drop-and-drive delivery with a bit of length in the back of his arm stroke. Barraza gets plus carry on his fastball, which sits in the low 90s or mid 90s depending on the day. He did a nice job putting that fastball in the zone during the 2023 season, which helped lead to the best walk rate of his career, but he hasn’t found a go-to secondary that he can land as consistently. His primary offspeed pitch is a mid-80s slider that blends into a cutter at times, with spin rates in the 2,200 rpm range and around three inches of horizontal break. -
School: Starkville (Miss.) HS Source: HS
Commit/Drafted: Mississippi State
Age At Draft: 18.8
Pulliam is a projectable shortstop with a lean and wiry, 6-foot, 170-pound frame. He has a crouched stance at the plate and has plenty of twitch in his hands in the batter’s box, with good bat speed and a chance to develop below-average power as he gains more strength. He’s a plus runner who should have a chance to stick up the middle at the next level. Pulliam is also a talented soccer player and punter, and he is committed to Mississippi State both for baseball and as a punter with the school’s football team. -
School: Frankenmuth (Mich.) HS Source: HS
Commit/Drafted: Clemson
Age At Draft: 18.2
A big and physical righthander with a 6-foot-4, 220-pound frame, Titsworth pitched in the 88-90 mph range for the most part last summer, but has added a bit more velocity this spring. He’s pitched in the low 90s and has touched 94 and has mixed in a solid breaking ball and changeup. The breaking ball is in the upper 70s and is a slurvy offering that at times looks like a curveball with more three-quarter shape, and other times looks more like a slider with late horizontal turn. Whatever the pitch classification, it has average potential, though he is still developing feel for his upper-70s changeup. Titsworth will need to maintain his body moving forward, and he could do a better job incorporating his lower half and driving off the rubber, though he has solid arm speed and a clean arm stroke. He is committed to Clemson. -
School: Florida Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.9
Halter was a prominent high school hitter who ranked as the No. 106 prospect in the 2020 class, but went unselected and made his way to campus at Florida. After a strong freshman season in 2021, Halter’s bat backed up during his draft-eligible 2022 season and he again went unselected, though he bounced back with Falmouth in the Cape Cod League, where he hit .307/.407/.507 with seven home runs in 39 games. Scouts were impressed with his performance on the Cape, but again in 2023 he struggled with the bat and hit just .247/.354/.397 with a 15.7% strikeout rate and 11.6% walk rate. Halter has no real carrying tools other than his bat, so teams will need to buy into his freshman year performance and high school pedigree more than his sophomore and junior seasons to feel confident in his ability in pro ball. He’s played both second base and third base with Florida, but fits best at the keystone in pro ball. -
School: Tyler (Texas) JC Source: JC
Commit/Drafted: Uncommitted
Age At Draft: 20.3
Ruen is a 6-foot-4, 190-pound righthander who attacks hitters from a fully sidearm slot and has a solid two-pitch combination. He excelled as a reliever with Tyler (Texas) JC this spring and posted a 0.82 ERA over 43.2 innings, with 64 strikeouts and 14 walks. An almost submarine reliever-only juco pitcher might not get the most attention, but Ruen followed up his season by throwing in the Cape Cod League with Cotuit and showed impressive swing-and-miss stuff and solid control in 10.2 innings. He posted a 1.69 ERA, struck out 13 batters and didn’t walk one while closing out all seven of the games he appeared in. Ruen throws a fastball in the 88-92 mph range and touches 93, and the pitch has the sinking life and attack angle that should drive plenty of ground balls. His secondary is a sweeping slider with frisbee-like movement that checks in around 80 mph and looks like a solid-average breaking ball. Ruen could provide a unique look out of a pro bullpen, and has physical projection remaining to dream on his fastball velocity ticking up. -
School: Texas-San Antonio Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 22.8
Miller started his career with LSU Eunice JC before he transferred to Texas-San Antonio for the 2021 season. He split time as a starter and reliever initially before transitioning to a bullpen-only role, and blossomed into one of the best closers in the country during his 2023 senior season. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound righthander posted a 2.30 ERA over 27 appearances and 70.1 innings and was among the nation’s leaders in saves while striking out 27.3% of batters and walking a career-low 6.1%. Like many elite college closers, Miller relies heavily on breaking stuff and throws a hard, mid-to-upper-80s slider more than 50% of the time. The pitch is hard with solid downward tilt and paired nicely with a fastball that averaged 90 mph, but has been up to 97, with solid carry and around 17 inches of induced vertical break. He generated a 32% miss rate with his fastball—an elite rate. -
School: Pearl River (Miss.) JC Source: JC
Commit/Drafted: Tennessee
Age At Draft: 20.2
Perry has been a consistent run producer in the middle of Pearl River (Miss.) JC’s lineup over the past two seasons. After hitting .385/.506/.701 with 17 home runs and 22 stolen bases in 2022, Perry was off to more of the same during the 2023 season. He hit .368/.486/.602 with nine home runs, 16 doubles, 23 stolen bases and more walks (37) than strikeouts (34). Perry has a massively projectable frame at 6-foot-4, 185 pounds, and pairs above-average or plus raw power with reasonable bat-to-ball skills. His righthanded swing can get a bit lengthy at times, and scouts view Perry as more of a fringe-average hitter overall, but his power/speed combination becomes even more appealing due to the fact that he has a chance to be a plus defender at third base with an outside shot to play a bit of shortstop as well. Perry has an exciting tool set, but is committed to Tennessee if he isn’t signed in the 2023 draft—where he seems like more of a day three talent. -
School: Oregon State Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.7
A Mission Viejo, Calif., native, Kasper was a part-time player for Oregon State during his first two seasons in 2021 and 2022 and played in just 27 total games. The 6-foot-1, 201-pound outfielder played his way into a lineup regular during the 2023 season and hit .304/.400/.558 with 12 home runs, a 30.5% strikeout rate and a 13.6% walk rate. As his strikeout rate indicates, Kasper struggles to make contact. His 30% miss rate is on the higher end and he specifically struggled to get the bat on breaking balls and offspeed offerings. He hammered fastballs (1.133 OPS against) and made a good amount of contact versus 92-plus mph velocity and also showed a solid ability to lay off pitches out of the zone. Kasper hits the ball reasonably hard and while his swing does have a few moving pieces, he can drive the ball a long way when he makes contact. If he is able to make an adjustment against secondaries, he becomes an interesting power-oriented lefthanded-hitting corner profile. -
School: Southern Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 23.3
Armstrong started his career at Holmes (Miss.) JC, but transferred to Southern prior to the 2021 season. After struggling offensively in his first season with Southern, Armstrong broke out in 2022 with a .360/.463/.493 slash line in 2022 and continued that sort of offensive production as a senior in 2023. The 6-foot, 185-pound center fielder hit .330/.414/.492 with five home runs, 10 doubles, a 14.7% strikeout rate and an 11.1% walk rate this spring. His 38 stolen bases ranked tied for fifth among Division I hitters, and he is a 70-grade runner who glides around the outfield and should stick in center. Offensively, he’s a slappy hitter with bottom-of-the-scale power and primarily hits the ball on the ground and legs out singles before becoming a nuisance on the base paths. Armstrong did significantly cut his strikeout rate year-over-year, going from 22.1% in 2022 to 14.7% in 2023, but he doesn’t have the sort of impact ability at the plate that allows him to project as anything more than a backup, speed-oriented outfield type. -
School: Northwest Florida State JC Source: JC
Commit/Drafted: Texas A&M
Age At Draft: 19.4
Linder is a big and physical, 6-foot-4, 230-pound righthander with a solid fastball/slider combination. A Georgia native, Linder started 10 games and pitched in relief in six others for Northwest Florida State JC in 2023, and posted a 5.18 ERA over 50.2 innings, with 73 strikeouts and 36 walks. He throws with a bit of effort from a high arm slot, sat around 90-91 mph with his fastball and ran the pitch up to 93-94 mph at peak velocity. His go-to breaking ball is a low-80s slider that has the potential to be an average secondary and he’s also mixed in a slower curveball in the mid-to-upper 70s with 12-to-6 shape, though the curve was used less frequently. Linder will need to maintain his large frame moving forward, and he’s committed to Texas A&M if no big league club takes a shot on him in the 2023 draft. -
School: Sandy Creek HS, Tyrone, Ga. Source: HS
Commit/Drafted: North Carolina
Age At Draft: 18.9
Cost has a reasonable case as the fastest runner in the 2023 class. He annihilated the Gerogia state record for stolen bases in a single season, with 84, and led the nation in the category as well. A 6-foot, 190-pound outfielder, 80-grade speed is the obvious carrying tool with Cost, but he has a well-rounded tool set beyond that and could have been a more prominent prospect if he had more experience against the better pitching of the 2023 class. He wasn’t at many prominent showcase events in 2022, but he possesses above-average bat speed and also has plenty of strength now. He’s more than a slap-and-dash offensive player who is incapable of driving the ball, but evaluations of his hit tool are likely to vary significantly throughout the industry. He has a chance to be an elite defender in center field, with solid route-running and dynamic closing speed, to go with solid arm strength. Cost is committed to North Carolina and could dramatically shoot up boards by proving his hitting ability in the ACC if no big league club signs him this July. -
School: Texas Tech Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.7
Beckel has been a full-time reliever for Texas Tech for three seasons, but his 2023 campaign was a bit of a breakout. After struggling with control, he improved significantly in that area and posted a 2.23 ERA over 48.1 innings, with a 31.9% strikeout rate and 9.5% walk rate. He’s a multi-inning reliever who pitched a single inning in just four of his 24 appearances. Beckel is listed at 6-foot-4, 225 pounds and attacks hitters with a 92-94 mph fastball that has been up to 95 and a low-to-mid-80s power breaking ball. The pitch has slider velocity, but top-down movement with more vertical bite than horizontal sweep. It’s been a pitch that he gets in the zone at a high rate and also generates whiffs at around a 50% rate. -
School: Canyon View HS, Waddell, Ariz. Source: HS
Commit/Drafted: Grand Canyon
Age At Draft: 18.8
Mattison is a 6-foot-2, 205-pound righthander who has flashed some exciting pure stuff, but also has a few delivery questions. He’s a high-effort thrower who features a bit of head whack and a fall off to the first base side in his finish, and there’s also a ton of length and a bit of inversion in the back of his arm stroke. While the delivery could use some refinement, Mattison has thrown a fastball in the 89-92 mph range that has touched 93-94 at times, with solid arm-side ride. He’s thrown multiple breaking ball variants, with a top-down curveball and a slider with more horizontal movement, but both pitches need more power and consistency—though both flash impressive spin at times. His best secondary currently is a changeup in the upper 70s that has tons of fading action and potentially plays up thanks to the violence in Mattison’s delivery, as well as the velocity separation between his fastball. Mattison is committed to Grand Canyon. -
School: Connecticut Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 22.4
After his freshman year at La Salle in 2020, Smith transferred to Connecticut, sitting out the 2021 season before playing for the Huskies in 2022, when he hit .307/.405/.496 in 66 games. He didn’t get drafted that year, so he returned to UConn this year as a 22-year-old redshirt junior and hit .305/.434/.475 in 54 games. At 5-foot-11, 195 pounds, Smith has a compact build with a strong lower half and doesn’t have one big tool, but he could serve in a utility role, with time in center field, left field and at second base at UConn. He’s a switch-hitter who has had more success from the right side, where his swing is more direct and he has shown more extra-base damage, albeit with below-average power. He’s an above-average runner who has infield experience but looks more comfortable in the outfield. -
School: Northwestern Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.2
Grable has developed a reputation for plenty of strikeouts throughout his college career. While he missed the 2022 season with injury, he has managed a strikeout rate higher than 25% in both seasons with Northwestern and missed plenty of bats in two summers in the Northwoods League as well as a brief 2023 stint in the Cape Cod League. During the spring season, Grable posted a 5.58 ERA in 30.2 innings, with a 26.3% strikeout rate and 11.7% walk rate. A 6-foot-4, 205-pound righthander, Grable throws a fastball in the 93-95 mph range that has been up to 100. He works off the fastball at a 75% usage rate and pairs a low-80s slider with it as his go-to secondary offering. Grable has occasionally used a low-80s fading changeup, but it’s rarely used and is often thrown below the zone. Grable’s control is below-average and his delivery features a ton of length in the back of his arm stroke. -
School: Stanhope Ellmore HS, Millbrook, Ala. Source: HS
Commit/Drafted: Alabama-Birmingham
Age At Draft: 17.7
Williams is a fast and twitchy, switch-hitting middle infielder with a small frame. Listed at just 5-foot-8, 150 pounds, Williams doesn’t look like the sort of player who is ever going to hit in the middle of a lineup, but he has a chance to develop into a top-of-the-order table setter. He’s a plus runner who gets out of the box well from both sides of the plate and should be a consistent threat to steal bases. At the plate he has a short, snappy swing from both sides. Williams’ offensive approach needs more refinement, but he has shown enough bat speed and contact ability to become a solid contact hitter who could drive the ball into the gaps and collect plenty of doubles with his speed. Williams is committed to Alabama-Birmingham and is young for the class. He’ll still be 17 on draft day. -
School: Louisiana State Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.7
A massive righthander with a 6-foot-7, 240-pound frame, Money pitched mostly out of the bullpen for Louisiana State in 2021 before moving into a starting role in 2022. After a number of transfers crowded the pitching staff in Baton Rouge, most notably righthander Paul Skenes, Money moved back into a primary reliever role in 2023. He posted a 5.67 ERA in 33.1 innings as a junior, with an 18.4% strikeout rate and 7.9% walk rate. Money pitches in the 92-94 mph range and has been up to 96 with his fastball, which has great riding life and around 20 inches of induced vertical break. He generated a solid 23% miss rate on the pitch this spring, and showed decent feel for two high-spin breaking balls: the first an upper-70s sweeping slider and the second a mid-70s curveball with more top-down action, both of which are thrown in the 2,400-2,500 rpm range. Money has also mixed in a mid-80s changeup. Money’s results have never quite matched his stuff and strikes, so he’s an intriguing, big-bodied righthander who could fit late on day two or on day three. -
School: Mississippi State Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.3
Smith impressed scouts out of high school with a loud fastball/curveball combination, but his size and scattered control helped him make it to campus at Mississippi State. Smith pitched almost exclusively out of the bullpen in 2021, but had a standout sophomore season after switching to a full-time starting role. He hasn’t fully replicated that season in 2023, and missed about a month with injury early in the season. Overall he posted a 5.23 ERA in 43 innings with a 23.6% strikeout rate and 14.4% walk rate. Smith has loud pure stuff, with a 92-95 mph fastball that has been up to 97 that has great carry and around 20 inches of induced vertical break. He also gets plenty of misses with a mid-80s slider that has hard, late biting action and consistently sneaks under barrels and elicits chases out of the zone. On top of an electric fastball/slider duo that headlines the arsenal, Smith has some feel to spin a power curve in the low 80s and has also mixed in a tumbling, mid-80s changeup. He’s struggled to consistently command the ball dating back to his prep days, and without any huge improvements in that area, carries significant reliever risk. -
School: Hartselle (Ala.) HS Source: HS
Commit/Drafted: Alabama
Age At Draft: 18.6
Mizell is a big and physical outfielder and lefthanded hitter with a powerful, 6-foot-3, 215-pound frame. He has a chance to develop plus raw power and swings with plenty of intent at the plate, though his swing has a lot of moving parts and his contact ability has been inconsistent. He has a significant amount of hand movement in his load to go along with a large leg kick, and he’ll need to have all of those components on time and in sync in order to find consistency against better pitching at the next level. Mizell has the look of a corner outfielder in the long run, but he’s a solid runner who has turned in 4.2-second run times from home-to-first and he’s got solid arm strength as well. Mizell is committed to Alabama. -
School: Louisiana State Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 22.7
Jobert was draft eligible in 2022 after he was second on Louisiana State’s team with 18 home runs behind potential No. 1 overall pick Dylan Crews. He went undrafted and returned for his second year with the Tigers in 2023, when the 6-foot-2, 209-pound outfielder hit .301/.409/.596 with 14 home runs, 11 doubles, a 25.7% strikeout rate and 9.6% walk rate. Jobert is a power-oriented corner profile who has played a bit of first and third, as well as the outfield, but in pro ball he’s more of a DH/first baseman-only sort of defender. He hits the ball hard and to the pull side, with impressive raw power and exit velocities when he gets fully extended and on plane, but he’s a streaky hitter overall. Jobert’s swing has a bit of length in it, and he does swing-and-miss frequently, particularly against secondaries. -
School: Northwestern State Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.5
Makarewich has always shown strikeout stuff with Northwestern State, but has consistently struggled to rein in what he’s throwing and put the ball in the zone consistently. After pitching out of the bullpen in 2021 and 2022, he moved to a starting role in 2023 and posted a 5.16 ERA over 14 starts and 66.1 innings, with a 29.1% strikeout rate and a 14% walk rate. The 6-foot, 185-pound righty throws a fastball in the 89-93 mph range and uses a low-80s slider as his go-to secondary. The pitch varies in shape and consistency but has good downward bite when it’s on. He has also mixed in a slower curveball that is well below-average and a changeup around 80 mph that also needs some work. -
School: Alabama Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 23.3
A fifth-year senior first baseman, Williamson was one of the most productive hitters in Alabama’s lineup in 2023. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound lefthanded hitter slashed .304/.411/.519 with a career-high 15 home runs that came with a 24% strikeout rate and 14.6% walk rate. Williamson managed an average exit velocity of 90 mph this spring, with a 90th percentile mark around 108 mph. It’s a power-over-hit profile, with plenty of swing-and-miss versus secondaries, and most of his home runs went to the pull side in games. He’s a first base-only profile who will be 23 years old on draft day, but he’s a solidly performing senior sign candidate with strength and raw power. -
School: Kentucky Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.1
Burkes is a 6-foot-3, 210-pound catcher who has shown solid on-base skills with Kentucky over the last two seasons. After redshirting in 2021, Burkes hit .378/.540/.730 in 20 games for Kentucky in 2022, with a 21.2% walk rate and 17.3% strikeout rate. He wasn’t quite as electric over a full season in 2023, but still hit .291/.423/.502 with nine home runs, 18 doubles, an 18.7% strikeout rate and 13.4% walk rate. He generally shows a solid approach and doesn’t expand the zone frequently, but he has some pure swing-and-miss questions, particularly against secondary offerings. Burkes uses a one-knee setup behind the plate and has fine actions, though he is on the bigger end of the spectrum for the position. He threw out 24% of basestealers in 2023 and gets rid of the ball quickly, with pop times in the 1.9-2.0-second range. -
School: Duke Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.5
Fox seemed like a solid top-10 round talent in the 2023 draft class prior to having Tommy John surgery. The fact that he missed the entirety of the 2023 season clouds his draft stock, but he showed solid stuff, albeit with erratic control, in 2021 and 2022 while he was healthy. Fox posted a 4.74 ERA over 108.1 innings between 2021 and 2022, with 142 strikeouts and 47 walks. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound lefty throws from a sidearm slot and pitches in the 90-93 mph range and touches 94-95. His 80 mph sweepy breaking ball generated a 48% whiff rate in 2022 and he’s also shown some feel for a mid-80s changeup. -
School: Memphis Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Mets ’19 (27)
Age At Draft: 23.5
The Mets drafted Fowler out of high school in the 27th round in 2019, but he made it to campus at Northwest Mississippi JC and then transferred to Oklahoma in 2021. Following that season, Fowler transferred to Memphis, where he moved from the bullpen to a full-time starting role. In 2023, Fowler posted a 4.24 ERA through 15 starts and 85 innings, with a 30.6% strikeout rate and an 11.7% walk rate. A tall and projectable, 6-foot-6, 200-pound lefthander, Fowler throws a fastball in the low 90s that has reached upper-90s velocity at peak, and mostly uses a mid-80s slider as his go-to secondary. He will occasionally throw a mid-80s changeup but he uses the pitch infrequently. -
School: Jacksonville Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 24
Armstrong played four seasons at Florida and transferred to Jacksonville for his fifth season, where he challenged for the national home run lead through his first 40 games of the season. While he cooled off over the final weeks of the season, Armstrong still hit .300/.424/.668 with 22 home runs, 12 doubles, a 25.5% strikeout rate and a 17% walk rate. He has plenty of raw power with a 6-foot-4, 220-pound frame and 90th percentile exit velocities around 107-108 mph, but he has below-average contact skills and had just a 64% contact rate this spring. A third baseman for Jacksonville, Armstrong is a corner profile only and might be better served at first base—where he played at Florida—and will also turn 24 just a few days before the draft. -
School: Maryland Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 22.5
Dean ranked at the back of the 2022 BA 500 but went undrafted and returned to Maryland for his fourth season. He is largely the same pitcher today as he was a year ago: a pitchability righthander with a four-pitch mix of solid but unspectacular stuff. The 6-foot-3, 180-pound righthander posted a 5.54 ERA over 16 starts and 74.2 innings, with a 23.4% strikeout rate and 8.7% walk rate. His fastball sits around 90 mph and touches 93 with carry that helps it play up, and his go-to secondary is a low-80s changeup that has generated nearly a 40% miss rate. He also mixes in a slider at 80 mph and a slow, 12-to-6 curveball in the low 70s. He fits as a day three talent or money-saving senior sign with solid control. -
School: Wake Forest Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.2
Lee had a phenomenal debut in college baseball back in 2021 with Tulane, when he hit .440/.527/.600 with four home runs and six doubles. He’s not replicated that offensive production since, but he has proven to be a reliable defensive catcher behind the plate and handled one of the best pitching staffs in college baseball nicely this spring with Wake Forest. The 6-foot, 215-pound catcher hit .303/.435/.472 with seven home runs and excellent plate recognition, with a 17.2% strikeout rate and 17.2% walk rate. With solid raw power in the tank, an ability to draw walks at a high clip and an average or better defensive foundation at catcher, Lee could be a sneaky late day two or early day three pick. -
School: East Carolina Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 20.9
A full-time reliever as a freshman for East Carolina in 2021, Grosz moved into a split-starter role in 2022 and this spring in 2023 pitched exclusively as a starter and did well while doing so. He posted a 3.66 ERA over 16 starts and 76.1 innings with a 24.1% strikeout rate and 12.5% walk rate. Listed at 6-foot-4, 199 pounds, Grosz is big and athletic with a 91-93 mph fastball that touches 95, a low-80s slider that could be an above-average breaking ball and a firm, upper-80s changeup. A likely reliever at the next level, Grosz fits as a day three draft talent. -
School: Penn State Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21
Harry is one of the more difficult hitters in the country to strike out. He hit .299/.376/.463 in 229 plate appearances with 20 walks and just 20 strikeouts for a 9% strikeout rate this spring. Harry also doesn’t turn 21 until just after the draft, putting him on the younger side for a college junior. A hard-nosed player who generally eschews batting gloves, Harry has minimal movement to get his swing started. He lifts his front foot up, stays relatively still with little rhythm in his swing before punching his hands at the ball. The result is one of the lower swing-and-miss rates in college baseball, trusting his hands to produce a contact-oriented swing with the ability to serve breaking balls into play. Harry can occasionally turn on a ball for power, but it’s a contact-oriented, spray approach with well below-average power that will be tested against better pitching. He has a solid sense of the strike zone, though he’s not an especially patient hitter for a hitter whose offensive value will have to come from his ability to get on base. Harry played shortstop at Penn State, but his range and arm strength will likely shift him elsewhere in pro ball, possibly to second base. -
School: Pennsylvania Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.9
A 6-foot, 195-pound switch-hitting catcher, Appel had a standout 2022 season with Pennsylvania, where he hit .346/.420/.525 with seven home runs. He didn’t quite replicate that production in 2023 as a senior, but scouts are still interested in him as a strong bat-to-ball hitter with sneaky power and he put up a fine .295/.385/.462 line this spring, with four home runs, 13 doubles and solid plate discipline. He had a 10.5% strikeout rate and 10.1% walk rate, and has a bit more impact from the right side currently, with an inside-out approach from the left side. He needs to improve defensively to stick at the position, and durability is a question mark for some scouts, though he has a fringe-average arm and a decent release that could become playable with steps in the right direction. He could have interest on the third day of the draft or late on day two as a money-saving senior sign at a priority position. -
School: Cal State Fullerton Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 22.9
A 6-foot-1, 200-pound senior first baseman, Connor is a solid senior sign target in the 2023 class with a line drive swing from the left side and hard contact. He’s hit for average and shown solid plate discipline throughout his college career, though he’s never shown the sort of in-game power you’d like to see for a first base profile. In 2023 he hit .329/.415/.502 with five home runs, 20 doubles, a 13.1% strikeout rate and an 11.6% walk rate. He is a good defender around the first base bag, with solid instincts, but defensive aptitude at the bottom of the defensive spectrum only means so much when you don’t slug—and through 171 career games Connor has just nine home runs to his name. He has played the outfield corners, so potentially he could fit there, where his power might matter a bit less. -
School: Cal State Fullerton Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 20.7
Nankil is a solidly-built right fielder with a 6-foot-3, 191-pound frame. He was a modest producer in his first two seasons and struggled with strikeout rates over 20%, but he took a step forward in that category in his 2023 campaign. He hit .316/.384/.468 with five home runs, 21 doubles and a career-low 13.7% strikeout rate. Nankil operates with a low handset in his offensive operation, and swings with an uphill bat path but his exit velocities were just OK and his swing is more strength-based than built around bat speed. He has a plus arm from right field and could profile there if he finds a way to get to more of the raw power he possesses in games. -
School: Grainger HS, Rutledge, Tenn. Source: HS
Commit/Drafted: Virginia Tech
Age At Draft: 18.5
Smith is a projectable and wiry righthander with a lean, 6-foot-2, 172-pound frame. He has shown a solid four-pitch mix, headlined by a fastball that sits in the 89-92 mph range and has touched 93 with three solid secondaries. He has a slider in the low 80s, a curveball in the upper 70s that flashes some bite, solid depth and three-quarter shape and also has a low-80s changeup. Smith is committed to Virginia Tech. -
School: Arizona Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 22.8
Romero drew some draft interest out of high school before spending three seasons at Central Arizona JC, where he hit .346/.476/.674 with 36 home runs. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound first baseman then moved to Arizona, where he had a standout 2023 campaign and hit .343/.439/.721 with 21 home runs and 17 doubles with a 19.6% strikeout rate and 12.6% walk rate. Romero hits the ball hard with a 90th percentile exit velocity of 108-109 mph and shows his power in-game to all fields. That power does come with swing-and-miss tendencies, and he had an overall miss rate at around 29%. Despite a 12.6% walk rate, Romero also showed a tendency to expand and chase out of the zone at times. A shortstop and catcher in high school, Romero has primarily played first base with Arizona, but also has experience in both corner outfield spots. He’s slow out of the box and is a 30-grade runner. -
School: Louisiana-Monroe Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 22.3
At 6-foot-8 and 230 pounds, Judice is high-waisted and incredibly projectable. In his fourth season with Louisiana-Monroe in 2023, Judice posted a 3.74 ERA in 53 innings, mostly out of the bullpen, with a 29.3% strikeout rate and a 6.7% walk rate. Judice throws two pitches, a fastball and slider, and can run his fastball into the mid 90s with little effort. His hard slider is a plus offspeed pitch with sharp break. He has loose, whippy arm action and attacks from a low, three-quarter slot. Given his size, it’s a tough at-bat for opposing hitters. It’s easy to envision an uptick in velocity with the 6-foot-8 righthander given the weight he is likely to put on and once he gets his lower half more engaged in his delivery. -
School: San Diego State Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 22.4
A 6-foot-5, 215-pound outfielder and lefthander, Fondtain has hit for San Diego State for three seasons, but was a starter for the program in 2022 and 2023. After posting a 4.58 ERA in 72.2 innings in 2022, Fondtain took a step forward in 2023, when he posted a 2.82 ERA in 15 starts and 92.2 innings, with a 26.7% strikeout rate and 6.7% walk rate. Pro scouts seem to prefer him as a pitcher in pro ball, and believe he can improve his 88-90 mph fastball once he is focused exclusively on pitching and also working in shorter stints as a reliever. He has been in the 90-93 mph range in shorter outings, and despite his fringe-average velocity now, he did most of his damage this spring by using his fastball at a near 80% clip. He throws from a slightly lower than average release point despite his height, and has solid carry on the pitch, with a 21% miss rate this spring. Fondtain also throws a mid-70s changeup that earns fringe-average grades and has a slow breaking ball that needs significant improvement to get to even a 40-grade evaluation. He’s an interesting arm with solid fastball traits who could get selected on day three. -
School: UC San Diego Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 23
A 6-foot-5, 225-pound redshirt senior, Mitchell didn’t pitch in the 2022 season with UC San Diego thanks to Tommy John surgery, but in his return to action in 2023 he was excellent. He posted a 1.42 ERA through 10 starts and 44.1 innings, with a 23.9% strikeout rate and a miniscule 4% walk rate. Mitchell has three pitches, but primarily works with a fastball/breaking ball combination. His heater sits in the low 90s and touches 94, while his breaking ball is an upper-70s slurve-like pitch with vertical depth. Mitchell will mix in a mid-80s changeup but he uses the pitch sparingly. -
School: Elizabethtown (Pa.) Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 22.2
Watson has played the last four seasons at Division III Elizabethtown (Pa.), with a commitment to play at Virginia Tech in 2024 depending on what happens in the draft. He hit .486/.559/.814 with just 15 strikeouts in 213 plate appearances this spring, and his summer performances have helped him draw more interest from scouts. He hit .427/.522/.664 in 136 plate appearances last summer as the MVP in the Coastal Plain League, building off his 2021 summer campaign when he batted .371/.468/.530 with just seven strikeouts in 156 plate appearances in the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League. Watson’s biggest believers point to his swing, a simple lefty stroke that starts with his hands low and keeps his barrel in the hitting zone a long time. He uses the whole field, and while he’s not that physical at 5-foot-11, 185 pounds, he has a chance to be a 15-plus home run hitter. Watson’s hitting ability is his calling card, but his tools are mostly below-average to fringy, with left field his best defensive fit in pro ball. -
School: San Diego State Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.4
Ruiz has put together a strong track record during his time at San Diego State with a .294 career average with 24 doubles and 15 home runs in 128 games. This spring the 6-foot-2, 210-pound catcher had his worst offensive season and hit .276/.353/.443 with seven home runs, nine doubles, a 16.5% strikeout rate and a 7.3% walk rate. Ruiz is a slightly below-average defender with average arm strength. He doesn’t move exceptionally well, so his future may be over at first base if he’s not able to stick behind the plate. However, his career track record with the bat combined with the lack of depth in the college catching class likely gets Ruiz selected somewhere on day three of this year’s draft. -
School: Louisiana State Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 23.2
Dugas has been a power-over-hit infielder for Louisiana State throughout his college career, but he banked a .300 season in 2022 and came 10 points shy of repeating that in 2023. In his fifth season with the program Dugas hit .290/.464/.589 with 17 home runs, 12 doubles, a 20.5% strikeout rate and a 14.3% walk rate. Dugas looks to do damage with a pull-heavy approach and uphill bat path. His home runs almost exclusively go to the pull side and that approach has led him to leak out early and swing-and-miss against breaking balls and offspeed offerings. Dugas is a limited defender who might be pushed off the dirt in pro ball and he’ll be 23 on draft day, but his righthanded power could make him an interesting senior sign target. -
School: Chene-Bleu SS, Pincort, Quebec Source: HS
Commit/Drafted: Alabama
Age At Draft: 17.8
The Blue Jays drafted Pilon as a 16-year-old in the 18th round of the 2022 draft class, making him the youngest player selected. Again draft eligible in 2023, the Canadian lefthander will remain one of the youngest names in the class and will still be 17 years old on draft day. He is listed at 6 feet, 200 pounds and mostly pitches in the upper 80s, touching 90-91 mph here and there with a high-spin, mid-70s curveball that looks like a future plus offering and feel for a changeup around 80 mph. Pilon is committed to Alabama. -
School: Pro 5 Baseball Academy Source: HS
Commit/Drafted: Duke
Age At Draft: 18.5
Winslow is a strong and physical catcher listed at 6-foot, 200 pounds who has shown solid ability on both sides of the ball. A righthanded hitter who sets up with a grounded, crouched stance in the box, Winslow has long levers and a noisy hand load that could impact his pure hitting ability, but has solid raw power and strength to go with whippy bat speed and an uphill path that should be geared for fly balls and impact. Defensively, he has solid actions behind the plate despite being a bit big for the position, with an above-average arm and hands that could allow him to become a solid-average receiver. Winslow is committed to Duke. -
School: Louisiana State Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.5
Edwards was pitching like one of the best relievers in the country for the first half of the season, but went down with an injury after an April 7 outing against South Carolina—his worst of the season. In his first 10 appearances and 23.1 innings, the multi-inning righty posted a 1.93 ERA with a .184 opponent batting average, 29% strikeout rate and 5.4% walk rate. Edwards doesn’t have the smoothest arm action, but he throws a mid-90s fastball that has touched 97, spins a solid mid-80s slider with sweeping action and also has some feel for a tumbling, mid-80s changeup. He was trending toward the top 10 rounds but his injury status could complicate his draft stock. -
School: Texas Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 23.7
Morehouse had some interest as a draft-eligible prospect in 2022, but returned to Texas for his second season with the program. In 2023 he pitched mostly out of the bullpen, but started four games, and posted a 5.21 ERA over 57 innings, with a 23.6% strikeout rate and 11.4% walk rate. Standing at 6-foot-4, 200 pounds, Morehouse has a strong, lean and loose body with a good delivery and arm action. His fastball sits 93-95 mph and has touched 97 and he pairs it with a hard, mid-80s slider that looks like a potential plus offering. There’s a great foundation of stuff and arm talent here, though Morehouse needs to find more strikes and consistency. He’ll be 23 on draft day and could be a senior sign target on day three or late on day two. -
School: Texas Tech Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.7
At 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, Girton is a physical righthanded pitcher. He split his time at Texas Tech between the starting rotation and bullpen, and in 2023 he posted a 5.86 ERA over 50.2 innings, with a 15.1% strikeout rate and 13% walk rate. That strikeout rate was the lowest of his career, and while he sits 92-94 mph with his fastball and touches 97, the pitch has below-average life and generated a miss rate of just 16%. Girton throws a mid-80s slider that has two-plane break at times, but he often leaves the pitch up over the plate, where it will flatten out and become a bit too hittable. He’s also worked in a mid-80s changeup, but used the pitch less than 10% of the time this spring. With below-average control, Girton profiles as a reliever in pro ball, where his stuff could potentially take a step forward in shorter outings and with a focus on just two pitches. -
School: Stanford Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.5
Dixon stood out in high school for his advanced feel for pitching and a cutter that already looked like a plus offering. As most Stanford commits do, Dixon made it to campus, where he has been a solid reliever and starter for three years. In 2023, Dixon posted a 4.73 ERA over 14 starts and 83.2 innings, with a 24.9% strikeout rate and an 11.9% walk rate. Now listed at 6-foot-2, 204 pounds, Dixon attacks hitters with a three-quarter slot and four-pitch mix. The cutter is no longer a big part of his arsenal, and he instead throws a 90-92 mph fastball that has been up to 96, an upper-70s curveball with 11-to-5 shape and 2,500 rpm spin rates, a low-80s changeup with solid arm-side fade and an infrequently used low-80s slider. -
School: St. Joseph’s Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.7
Callahan had his second season in a row with an OPS above 1.000 for St. Joseph’s, hitting .342/.435/.613 in 262 plate appearances this spring. At 6 feet, 192 pounds, Callahan is a lefthanded hitter who sets up with an open stance, squares himself off with a toe tap before unleashing an aggressive swing. He has good bat speed, average power and made consistent quality contact this spring. There is effort to his swing and a tendency to leak open early. That causes him to get pull-happy and allows him to do damage on pitches middle-in, but leaves him more vulnerable on the outer third. He has shown solid contact skills in the Atlantic 10 but with more questions about how that will hold up against superior pitching. Callahan is a 55 runner who played center field last summer in the Costal Plain League, but St. Joseph’s has played Conlan Wall in center with Callahan primarily playing left field. A team that drafts Callahan could move him back to center field to try to maximize his value. -
School: State JC of Florida Source: JC
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 19.3
Forret opened eyes early in the juco season when he matched up against Northwest Florida State JC and threw a seven-inning, one-hit shutout. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound lefty posted a 3.34 ERA over 13 starts and 86.1 innings, with 106 strikeouts and 18 walks. He throws a fastball in the low 90s that has been up to 94, and has a nice diving changeup in the low 80s as well as a solid slider in the same range. Following the spring season, Forret pitched with Falmouth in the Cape Cod League, and through his first two starts and six innings, he posted a 3.00 ERA with eight strikeouts and three walks. Forret has a projectable frame and could add more strength in the near future. -
School: Etiwanda HS, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. Source: HS
Commit/Drafted: UC Irvine
Age At Draft: 17.7
Huezo is a lean and projectable outfielder with a 6-foot-2, 177-pound frame that has a ton of room to add weight and strength in the next few years. A lefthanded hitter, Huezo has a wide stance with a high handset and high back elbow. His bat path could be improved a bit, as the barrel is often in and out of the zone quickly and he can get too choppy at times, though when he gets on plane he shows solid pop to the pull side. Huezo is a solid-average runner who clocked a 6.69-second 60-yard dash at Perfect Game’s National Showcase in 2022, and he’s also shown solid arm strength and defensive ability in the outfield. He is committed to UC Irvine and is extremely young for the class—he won’t turn 18 until November 2023. -
School: Ohio State Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 20.9
Timmerman pitched two seasons of junior college at Wabash Valley (Ill.) JC before he transferred to Ohio State for the 2023 season. The 6-foot-4, 195-pound righthander struggled to an 8.37 ERA in 23.2 innings as a split starter and reliever with the Buckeyes, but excelled in a brief pre-draft stint in the Cape Cod League, where he posted a 1.72 ERA over 15.2 innings with 19 strikeouts and six walks. He throws a fastball that sits around 91 and has been up to 95, with solid spin and 17 inches of induced vertical break. His go-to secondary is an 80-mph slider that also has high spin rates—in the 2,700 rpm range—and he will occasionally mix in a harder cutter and a mid-80s changeup. Timmerman is young for a college player in the class and will still be 20 on draft day. -
School: Texas Christian Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: D-backs ’19 (38)
Age At Draft: 22.1
After three seasons at Kansas, Vanderhei entered the transfer portal and moved to Texas Christian for his 2023 senior season. He pitched as a starter and reliever for the Horned Frogs, but posted a 6.75 ERA in 42.2 innings, with a 21.2% strikeout rate and 12.3% walk rate. At 6-foot-6, 185 pounds, Vanderhei has a ton of room to add physicality and strength at the next level, but he also needs to clean up his delivery a bit and prevent his front side from flying open too early. He throws his fastball in the 91-94 mph range mostly, though the pitch has been up to 97 at peak velocity. The pitch has very little carry and didn’t fool batters much at all this spring, with a .330/.457/.564 line against it. Vanderhei had much better results with a mid-80s slider, which generated a 53% miss rate and has short, biting action and high spin in the 2,500 rpm range. He’s thrown a mid-80s changeup occasionally, but used the pitch less than 5% of the time this spring. Vanderhei could have some success as a two-pitch reliever who pitches more off his slider in pro ball, but he’ll need to improve the fastball to do so. -
School: Oral Roberts Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.9
A 6-foot-3, 190-pound outfielder, Cox played his first two college seasons at Butler (Pa.) JC and Eastern Oklahoma State JC, where he hit over .400 with 13 home runs across both seasons. After transferring to Oral Roberts for his 2023 junior season, Cox led the team in hitting and helped push the program to a College World Series appearance. He slashed .412/.470/.646 with 11 home runs, 16 doubles, 28 stolen bases, a 16.7% strikeout rate and 9.5% walk rate and made Baseball America’s All-America third team. Cox has solid pure bat-to-ball skills, but has below-average raw power, with most of his game power going to the pull side. He’s a plus runner who previously played shortstop and has the tools to be a good defender in center field, though his arm strength is a bit light. Cox is the son of Darron Cox, who was a big league catcher in 1999 for the Montreal Expos. -
School: Cal State Fullerton Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 22
Urman is a standout defensive catcher who has struggled with the bat for three seasons with Cal State Fullerton. A 6-foot-1, 195-pound righthanded-hitting backstop, Urman has never hit over .300 in a season for the Titans, and he struggles to impact the baseball as well, but he is a plus defensive catcher who has great actions and arm strength behind the plate. He sets a nice low target and receives the ball well, and has a quick exchange on throws to second base, with both strength and accuracy. It’s normal to see him popping in the 1.90-second range to the bag and making tags easy for his middle infielders. This spring he hit .366/.300/.380 with four home runs, a 13.2% strikeout rate and a 5.4% walk rate. Urman doesn’t profile as a starter given his offensive questions, but he has a chance for a backup role in some capacity given his defensive ability. -
School: Birmingham HS, Van Nuys, Calif. Source: HS
Commit/Drafted: Brigham Young
Age At Draft: 18.3
Taylor is a strong and physical high school catcher with a filled-out, 6-foot-2, 195-pound frame. He projects for above-average power, but at the moment is more of a power-over-hit offensive profile from the right side who has solid bat speed and more than enough strength. Taylor’s swing can get a bit long at times, and he has shown a tendency to get a bit pull-happy and leak out on his front side, which could create issues for him against quality secondary pitches and potentially leave a hole on the outer third of the plate. He’s a below-average runner, but moves fine for a catcher, where he has above-average arm strength and strong, reliable hands behind the dish. Taylor is viewed as a day three talent, but is committed to Brigham Young and might not be signable in that range.
Minor League Top Prospects
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EL managers came to have the same feelings about Larish that scouts have had since his college days at Arizona State. Once considered a potentially elite hitter, he has adopted an approach and sells out for home runs. It makes his profile more that of a second-division regular than as a championship-caliber starter. "He's abandoned using the whole field and has very little two-strike approach," one scout said. "He was just trying to jerk balls, but he showed pretty big power, and it's from the left side." His upright stance turns off some, because it precludes him from covering the outer third of the plate and produces serious holes in his swing. The things he can do make Larish a prospect. He's patient, ranking second in the league and sixth in the minors with 87 walks, and he waits out pitchers until he gets a pitch he can drive. His strength and leveraged swing produce well above-average power, as he led the EL with 28 homers and 101 RBIs. He's also an accomplished defender around the bag at first base. -
As they did with lefty John Danks in 2006, the Rangers bumped Hurley to Triple-A just three years after drafting him in the first round out of high school. Texas felt comfortable moving Hurley quickly, given his even temperament and willingness to take instruction. He pitched very well for Oklahoma before getting hammered in his final two starts, when he allowed six of his 13 Triple-A homers. With a repertoire headed by a 91-95 mph fastball and an above-average slider with late depth, Hurley is all about power. Those two pitches will play up--and his strikeouts will increase--as he gains more command. He needs to improve his changeup and do a better job of working down in the strike zone. -
Because of his stuff, frame and profile, Reyes gets compared Horacio Ramirez, who likewise signed with the Braves out of a southern California high school. Reyes made 14 starts at Mississippi before spending three months in the majors when injuries beset Atlanta's pitching staff. He struggled but did win two of his last three starts and posted a 3.10 ERA in September. Reyes doesn't have a true put-away pitch, but he has five weapons at his disposal, headlined by a fastball that ranges from 88-94 mph. He can add and subtract from his fastball, and also throws a cutter in the high 80s. His solid-average slider is his best secondary pitch, which he complements with a usable changeup and curve. He's erratic with his command at times, and Reyes has lapses when a series of mistakes leads to big innings. He profiles as a back-of-the-rotation starter. "He's a guy for me," the second scout said. "He can speed up and slow down bats, and he has enough effective wildness and enough stuff to get away with some of his inconsistency." -
Saunders is one of the best athletes in the Mariners system, but his stock took a hit when he batted .240/.329/.345 in his full-season debut in low Class A last year. He flashed his five-tool potential on a much more consistent basis in the Cal League, and he played well in Double-A in August. He's still growing into his 6-foot-4 frame and has good loft in his swing, which could make him a 20-homer hitter on an annual basis. He has plus speed that makes him a basestealing threat and a plus defender in center or right field. A Canadian who had NHL potential in hockey and also played basketball, lacrosse and soccer, he lacks true baseball instincts but has shown a better sense for the game with each of his promotions. -
Paulino hadn't played above Class A coming into the season, but he made his major league debut in Houston in September, earning wins in his last two starts. He has the body and the stuff to pitch at the top of a rotation, with a fastball that touches 100 mph and sits at 95-99 mph. Paulino has four legitimate pitches, using both a slider and a curveball as well as a changeup. His curveball is probably the best of his complementary pitches, but none of them stand out. To establish himself in the big league rotation, Paulino will have to improve his command and become more confident with his fastball. His velocity allows him to dominate, but if hitters hit his heater early in games, he tends to shy away from it. -
Ely overmatched Pioneer League hitters in his pro debut by consistently by consistently throwing strikes and using his 91-93 mph fastball to set them up for a plus changeup that ranks as his best pitch. His curveball was a solid pitch for him at Miami (Ohio) this spring, though it received mixed reviews from those who saw him this summer. Ely has a deceptive delivery that he repeats well and keeps hitters off balance, but he's also a max-effort pitcher with a head jerk. There are some concerns about how his ability to avoid injuries with his mechanics, but he has no history of arm problems in the past. He's extremely competitive on the mound. -
An exceptional athlete, Brown was recruited by Miami as a wide receiver but he chose instead to sign as a 20th-round pick in 2006. The ball jumps off his bat, though his swing can get long and has some holes that can be exploited. His wiry-strong build evokes Darryl Strawberry, and he can hit the ball a long way when he connects. A long strider with above-average speed, Brown plays a shallow center field. He occasionally takes some bad routes, but he's athletic enough to compensate and has a strong arm. "He's got a ton of tools," Hudson Valley manager Matt Quatraro said. "His body, if it fills out, he could be a monster. His swing's long at times, but when he gets on top of the ball, he's got some juice." -
Fabian has added 30 pounds since signing out of the Dominican in 2003, and his 6-foot-3 frame still has plenty of projection remaining. He has yet to reach full-season ball in five years as a pro and is far from a finished product, but his loose arm is loaded with potential. Fabian's fastball sits at 91 mph and he was up to 96 in the first game of the NWL finals, when he pitched into the eighth inning and earned the win against Salem-Keizer. He's aggressive and attacks hitters, though his command is below-average. He'll occasionally break off a filthy downer curveball that could become a legitimate putaway offering. His changeup is below-average, though it too could develop into a weapon. -
The Yankees signed Heredia out of the Dominican Republic last year. He didn't pitch in the Dominican Summer League in 2006 and made his pro debut in the States this summer. Not big but wiry strong, Heredia pumps out fastballs from 91-93 mph, touching some 94s along the way. He has a loose, easy delivery and adds and subtracts from his fastball, which he commands to all four quadrants of the strike zone. His slurvy breaking ball needs to get tighter, though it shows flashes of being a plus pitch with solid downward rotation. "He just reminds me of Pedro Martinez when I was with the Dodgers in '93," Reed said. "You see the frame and wonder where it all comes from. This guy is the same way." His changeup is still a work in progress, as he's refining his arm action and grip to command it more consistently. Heredia morphed into a two-pitch pitcher at times, and he'll have to gain more confidence in his changeup if he's going to profile as a starter. -
Ottavino's approach is simple yet effective. He relies on a 92-93 mph fastball featuring good armside run and a tight slider, as the fastball rides in on righthanders while the slider runs away from them. His command isn't very polished, but he gets enough movement that he can simply aim for the middle of the plate and relying on the run on his fastball and the tilt on his slider to hit the corners. Ottavino got FSL hitters to chase his slider out of the zone, though there's some concern as to whether he can throw it consistently for strikes if more advanced players lay off of it. He also throws a below-average changeup and curveball, and he might wind up in the bullpen down the road. -
James flew under the radar last season despite going 6-2, 1.36 in Lexington. His fringy fastball didn't excite scouts then, but they believe in him more now that his velocity increased this year. His heater sat at 89-92 and he can sink and tail it to either side of the plate, making him a groundball machine. James' slider is an average pitch with plus potential. He has toyed with different grips on his changeup but hasn't found consistent command of it yet. "He could be unhittable at times here and all he'd throw were sinkers," Sarbaugh said. "He'd flash you the breaking ball, he'd flash the changeup, but he was pretty much all sinkers." -
AZL managers found Culberson, a surprise supplemental first-round pick in June, far from conventional but nonetheless to their liking. He rebounded from a terrible start to help drive the Giants into the championship game, leading the team with 19 stolen bases (in 20 tries) and batting .354 in August. Culverson showed pull power, savvy baserunning skills and above-average bat speed, and he made progress on learning when to be aggressive and when to be smart. Culberson hit 16 homers as a high school senior, but homers aren't likely to be a significant part of his game as he moves up the ladder. The unconventional part comes with his glove. Culberson has excellent arm strength despite an unusual, almost sidearm release point, and as he learns to trust his arm, he'll improve his fringe-average range by playing deeper and learning better positioning. His aggressive nature led to mistakes, but he worked hard with roving instructor Fred Stanley and showed enough aptitude (one error in his last 12 games in the AZL) to keep playing shortstop in instructional league. -
Romero finished third in the league in batting (.316) and homers (nine). He's a gap-to-gap hitter who can drive the ball hard the other way, and he should have even more power as he gets stronger and turns on more pitches. Defensively, Romero has limited range at third base but he does have soft hands, arm strength and a quick release. He sometimes overthrows, but he's fairly steady and led Appy League third baseman with a .929 fielding percentage. His biggest need is to find an even keel, as he gets down on himself and lets his emotions affect his play. "He's got it in him," Elizabethton manager Ray Smith said. "He's a tools guy and he can hit it as far as anybody. He's got it in him, but we need to get it out of him." -
After hitting just three homers in Rookie ball last year, Francisco won the MWL home run crown with 25, including 10 in the final month. In a league full of young power hitters, scouts and managers thought Francisco had the most raw pop of any of them. "He swings the bat with a lot of authority," Great Lakes manager Lance Parrish said. "He has a lot of potential and it's not too far in the future. He'll be leading every league he's in in home runs and he'll be an all-star." Francisco offers incredible pull power from the left side, though he needs to tone down his aggression and tighten his strike zone after fanning 161 times and walking only 23 in 135 games. He has a long swing and tends to chase balls in the dirt, but he's also just 20. He has enough arm and mobility to stay at third base, though he'll have to watch his weight to do so. -
Like Votto, Lind came into the season with high expectations after winning the Double-A Eastern League's MVP award and hitting .367 in 60 September big league at-bats in 2006. He started 2007 with Syracuse, earning an early callup when Reed Johnson had back surgery. American League pitchers were ready for Lind this time and he struggled to make adjustments, hitting .230/.274/.383 before a July demotion. Lind regained his confidence and his stroke in the IL, and he fared better (.273/.298/.473) after a September callup. He's balanced at the plate and stays inside the ball well, using his classic lefthanded swing to drive the ball from line to line. "His hands somewhat work independently from his body," Syracuse manager Doug Davis said. "He's got such good hand-eye coordination that it's very easy for him to put the barrel of the bat on ball. That's my biggest thing. He's a natural hitter who can not only put the ball in play, but drive it." Lind missed two weeks in early August when he strained a muscle in his neck after violently banging his head on the ground while making a diving attempt for a catch. A similar play in 2006 caused a concussion. He remains a work in progress in the outfield, where below-average speed and just playable range and throwing mechanics limit him to left field. -
After serving as a catcher when he wasn't injured during his first two pro seasons, Snyder moved to first base this year and looked more comfortable. He had his best offensive season to date, rebounding nicely from the dislocated right shoulder and rotator-cuff surgery that limited him to 72 games in 2006. Snyder showed improved plate discipline and continued to display a smooth swing from the right side. He consistently gets his hands in a good hitting position. The question, however, is whether he'll drive in enough runs to be an impact player at the major league level, because the move to first base puts a greater emphasis on his bat. Snyder, who showed soft hands and good athleticism at his new position, also took groundballs at third base. "He adapted well defensively and has become a quality first baseman," Kendall said. "He also made adjustments with the bat, particularly with his pitch selection. Last year, he didn't have a plan when he stepped in the box. While he'll still wave at breaking balls, he has improved in working the count and using the whole field." -
The highlight of Lofgren's season was going home to San Francisco for the Futures Game--he's from famed Serra High in nearby San Mateo--but the regular season held some struggles for him. His athletic ability, competitiveness and aptitude still make him one of the minors' more intriguing lefties, but he has work to do. Lofgren pitches off his average-to-plus fastball, running it up to 93-94 mph at times. His curveball, slider and changeup all flash above-average potential as well. He started throwing his changeup two years ago and it's now his best secondary pitch, allowing him to be more effective against righthanders (.739 OPS against) than lefties (.815 OPS). Lofgren didn't attack Double-A hitters like he needed to, getting into trouble by nibbling when he got ahead or by struggling to throw his secondary pitches for strikes early in counts. One scout said Lofgren needs to learn pitchability and expects his athletic ability to help him do that with another year in the minors. -
Patton spent the first half of the season in Double-A and required just eight Triple-A starts before he was thrust into Houston's rotation in August. The Astros turned to him not because he had blown away PCL batters, but because he shows exceptional poise for a young pitcher. After three effective appearances in Houston, he was shut down with shoulder soreness, which cut short his two previous seasons as well. With command of three pitches and a strong pickoff move, Patton has the ingredients to be a solid No. 3 starter. He locates his 88-92 mph fastball to both sides of the plate and has confidence in his hard curveball. Patton has made the greatest strides with his changeup, which fades down and away from righthanders. -
Just before Scherzer would have re-entered the 2006 draft, the Diamondbacks coughed up a four-year major league contract worth $4.3 million in guaranteed money to sign the 11th overall pick from 2005. Nicknamed "Max-a-million" by his teammates, he made three starts in high Class A before arriving in Mobile in late June. Scherzer's most attractive attribute is a sinking fastball that tops out near 95 mph. His mechanics need some work, as his release point is inconsistent and there's some effort to his delivery, but he does achieve good extension out front and his arm strength is obvious. Scherzer has a two-seamer he can run up to 90 mph, an 80-84 mph slider and a changeup, all of which have potential to be solid-average to plus offerings. But Scherzer's arsenal is inconsistent, and his overall command is below average. That leads some scouts to project he'll wind up in the bullpen, where he can focus on his fastball and slider. "It's an outstanding arm who needs polish and has some max effort to it, which impacts his ability to command the baseball," a fourth scout said. "The stuff is there, it's just a matter of if he can make that next step and command it." -
Statia has the tools to play shortstop in the majors now. He's an athletic defender with above-average range to both sides, plus arm strength and good instincts. He's a savvy basestealer as well, swiping 29 bags in 37 tries despite just average speed. While his defense is big league-ready, his bat is nowhere close. Until he adds some strength to his lanky frame, he'll be vulnerable to good fastballs. He has little power, and while he makes consistent contact, he doesn't draw many walks. -
Rodriguez doesn't offer one overwhelming tool, but his overall package and strong baseball instincts should make him an effective big leaguer. His offensive numbers dipped from 2006, when he led the minors with 291 total bases, but he was still selected as the league's all-star shortstop. Power is probably Rodriguez' best tool, as he shows the ability to drive the ball to all fields and could hit 20-25 homers per year in the majors. Some observers think he would be better served shortening his swing and being more of a doubles hitter, however. Though he has a good swing and balance at the plate, he led the league with 132 whiffs, in part because of poor strike-zone recognition. Rodriguez has been a shortstop so far in his career and shows good defensive actions, but his below-average speed and big frame, as well as organization depth, could push him to second base or the outfield. He'll probably end up as a utility player. -
Fish finished in a three-way tie for the league lead with 77 strikeouts in 72 innings and fanned 13 in eight innings in his lone playoff outing. His funky delivery creates deception and confuses hitters, making his 88-93 mph fastball seem quicker than it really is. He has good secondary pitches, though he needs to be more consistent with his curveball, which rates as solid-average when he throws it for strikes. Fish still needs to improve his command and must keep his weight under control. -
Welker had an up-and-down spring as a weekend starter for Arkansas after transferring from Seminole State (Okla.) JC, but the Pirates drafted him in the second round based on his arm strength and projectable 6-foot-7 frame. He had a strong pro debut before the Pirates shut him down because of elbow soreness. Welker pitches at 92-93 mph and touches 95-96 with his lively fastball, and he might throw even harder as he matures. He pitches off his fastball, working it in and out, and mixes in a slurvy breaking ball that has potential but needs some tightening. His changeup is usable but also needs some refinement. Welker has a strong, durable frame and pitches on a good downward plane. He could be a starter in the big leagues if he can polish his secondary offerings. "One thing that sticks out the most to me is his competitiveness and his presence," State College manager Turner Ward said. "To me, he's definitely a big leaguer. He's got the stamina, the body, just the package of a starting pitcher." -
Canham's makeup and offensive prowess were a big part of Oregon State's back-to-back College World Series titles. The day he reported to Eugene, he introduced himself to manager Greg Riddoch and promptly asked to take the opposing hitters' chart home with him to prepare for the next night's game. Canham injured a testicle in mid-July and missed two weeks. After he returned to the lineup, his solid-average bat speed and raw power weren't as evident, but he's a confident hitter with a good approach from the left side of the plate. He has a tendency to drift during his swing, which creates some length. Canham's defensive skills are subpar, but he's a good athlete with plenty of agility and aptitude to work his way into becoming an adequate catcher. He has solid-average arm strength with a fair release that would be aided by better footwork, and he threw out 31 percent of basestealers in the NWL. He's an average runner. -
The tallest pitcher in the GCL at 6-foot-10, Moviel also has stuff to back up his height advantage. He consistently threw 92-93 mph and touched 95 with his fastball. He draws comparisons to Yankees first-round pick Andrew Brackman because both are huge Ohio natives who committed to North Carolina State (Brackman played for the Wolfpack but Moviel turned pro). Though Brackman is three years older, Moviel may be more polished. Scouts raved about his ability to not only repeat his delivery, but his secondary pitches as well. He'll pitch inside with his fastball with no fear, and his 82-83 mph hammer curveball really keeps opposing hitters at bay. Moviel also has a workable changeup, though it lags behind his other two offerings. There are concerns about his long arm action, but he's athletic and fields his position well for a big man. -
With Outman, it's all about control. He struggles at times to control his fastball, which explains why ranked among the minor league leaders with 77 walks in 159 innings. At times he struggles to control his emotions, which explains why he overthrows and is prone to big innings and bad outings. But there's also a lot to like about the lefty, who led the league with a 2.45 ERA and earned a promotion to Double-A. Outman's fastball sits at 92-94 mph and he pairs it with an 84-87 mph slider. He's working on a changeup that still has a ways to go. A good athlete, Outman has reworked his mechanics and developed a more conventional delivery since turning pro. He also has added some deception, as he now hides the ball much longer, and his fastball has picked up some life. One manager who saw him in low Class A in 2006 said has made significant strides since last year -
A second-round pick in 2006, Perez made his full-season debut with the Avalanche. He was up an down for much of the season, but he showed two quality pitches throughout. His fastball has excellent late life and sits at 91-93 mph, while his 84-mph slider was his out pitch for much of the year. Perez' changeup improved as the season wore on, though he still doesn't have quite the arm action he needs to make it as effective as it could be. He repeats his delivery well, though some scouts expressed concern with the way he wraps his wrist in the back of his delivery -
Carvajal had to repeat the league after a hand injury curtailed his season last year. He needed the experience because he had gotten just 75 at-bats since signing for $350,000 in late 2005 out of the Dominican Republic. He's still raw, particularly in terms of pitch recognition and plate discipline, but he also has some of the best bat speed in the Padres system and enough athletic ability to play well in a short trial in center field. According to AZL Padres manager Tony Muser, the former Royals skipper, Carvajal profiles best as a left fielder with good defense and enough power for the position. "He has a lot of upside because he can do a lot of things," Muser said. "He can run, he's got a plus arm, he's got raw power. A lot of times with young players like him, it can take longer getting on their feet, and he lost time, but now he's making progress." -
If Van Mil makes it all the way up, he'll be the tallest pitcher in major league history at 7-foot-1. By the time he follows through, he's practically standing on home plate. His velocity is closer to Chris Young's than Randy Johnson's, however. Van Mil's fastball settles in around 91 mph and tops out at 95. His height gives him a downward plane that's tough on hitters. He's athletic and agile for his size. A product of the Netherlands, Van Mil lacks pitching instincts and profiles more as a reliever than as a starter. He's working on a slider that has some tilt, but he sometimes slows down his arm when he throws it. He also lacks control.Van Mil came down with elbow soreness, which sidelined him for three weeks in August. -
Like Poveda, Whittleman was much improved and still young for the league in his second stint at Clinton. After batting .227/.313/.343 as a 19-year-old in 2006, he boosted those numbers to .271/.382/.476 before an August callup to high Class A. He also added a Futures Game homer off the Mets' Deolis Guerra. Whittleman had a quieter approach and better balance at the plate this season, and he didn't chase as many pitches. With his swing, strength and grasp of the strike zone, he has a chance to hit .280 with 15-20 homers annually in the majors. He doesn't profile as well at third base as Bell, but he has a better stroke and puts more effort into his defense. Playing third base is still a struggle for Whittleman, who has the arm strength but lacks sure hands and quick feet. He made 29 errors in 85 games, and his .880 percentage was worse than his 2006 mark of .891. He tailed off in July, batting just .154/.264/.179 as most observers thought he got frustrated because he wasn't promoted earlier. -
Jones posted the second-highest slugging percentage (.507) in the Southern League and didn't miss a beat after earning a late-July promotion to Richmond, where he helped the Braves win the IL wild card. With a confident, quiet setup and a sweet lefty swing, he projects to be an above-average major league hitter. He makes adjustments and stays inside the ball well, taking what pitchers give him. Jones has 20-homer potential, which is about average for a corner outfielder, and he rarely turned on pitches in the IL, prompting some to question his assertiveness as a potential middle-of-the-order hitter. An average runner, he gets down the line well because of his clean swing mechanics. But with below-average hands and defensive instincts and a slow release on throws, he's a left fielder all the way. -
Hanson went just 2-6 in 14 starts at Rome, but his record fails to tell the true story. He used solid command of four pitches along with a willingness to throw inside to post a 2.59 ERA and limit hitters to a .194 average. Six-foot-6 and 210 pounds, Hanson has impressive mound presence and delivers the ball on an intimidating downhill plane. His fastball sits in the low 90s and he commands it well. Add in the tight spin on his curveball and improving depth on his changeup, and he's on the fast track in the Braves system. "He has good arm strength and I really like his breaking ball," Asheville pitching coach Bryan Harvey said. "He has a real good idea out there on the mound." -
Kendrick never had pitched above Class A prior to 2007, but he entered the postseason as the Phillies' Game Two starter, and his 3.87 ERA ranked second among their starters. He got started down that path in the EL, as he harnessed his command and stopped trying to pitch up in the strike zone with his fastball and down with his slider. The athletic Kendrick repeats his delivery, pumps his two-seam sinker to the bottom of the zone and spots his harder, low-90s four-seamer down and away. He also has a hard slider that's more of a groundball pitch than a strikeout offering. His changeup plays up because he locates it well. "He realized strikeouts are over-rated," Reading manager P.J. Forbes said. "He's pitching at the knees and when he misses, he misses down. He made hitters hit his pitch, because his command was that good. To give up just three home runs, playing in our ballpark, that's all about executing your pitches, and he did." -
One of the few Mariners prospects who has been allowed to develop more or less at his own pace, Balentien showed improvement across the board in his first taste of Triple-A. Most strikingly, he slashed his strikeout rate from one every 3.2 at-bats in 2006 to one every 4.5 for Tacoma. Though Balentien still will wildly chase pitches out of the zone, he did show increased selectivity in the first half, especially with regard to breaking balls off the plate. He has immense raw power to all fields and hit his first big league homer in September off Fausto Carmona. Balentien also has average speed and good baserunning instincts. He's an average defender with a plus arm in right field. He frequently has come under scrutiny for his lackadaisical play and though he still has lapses, he showed more focus and maturity in 2007. -
After a dominant season in 2006, Meloan spent the first half of 2007 as Jacksonville's closer before climbing to Triple-A and the majors. Managers rated him the league's best reliever and he has the makings of a valuable late-inning man in the big leagues. Meloan has two speeds--hard and harder--and a tenacious attitude. He works primarily off an 89-94 mph fastball and a mid-80s slider that has touched 89. He also has feel for a curveball and changeup, but his slider and above-average command are his ticket. Meloan attacks both sides of the plate and pitches ahead in the count. His delivery is rigid and lacks fluidity, but he has shown resilience since arm soreness arose shortly after he was drafted in 2005. -
If Young reaches the majors, his speed will be what gets him there. After leading the minors with 87 steals in 2006, he ranked second this year with 73. He became more efficient swiping bases, succeeding on 80 percent of his attempts, up from 74 percent a year ago. "He's a legitimate big league basestealer," Subero said. "He could go up on speed alone." Young uses his speed to get on base via bunts, though he still needs to improve his strike-zone judgment to be a tablesetter at the top of the order. He upgraded his total package by improving his defense at second base, showing better range and footwork. -
Duran was an afterthought in the Texas system coming into 2007, but he stung the ball all season and ranked among the TL leaders in most offensive categories. He also represented the Rangers on the World team in the Futures Game. Scouts and managers see Duran as an offensive second baseman whose overall approach to hitting isn't as polished as Antonelli's, but he offers more power. Duran isn't big but has a strong body and a quick bat, with the ability to put a charge in the ball. Most managers regarded Duran as a solid second baseman. He's good around the bag and should be able to make the routine plays, with average range and an average arm. His speed is fringe-average. -
Ambriz had shoulder surgery in 2004, then returned to star as a two-way player for UCLA the last two seasons. The Diamondbacks drafted him solely as a pitcher, and in his first pro summer he excelled as a swingman and earned the save in the clinching game of the Pioneer League playoffs. Arizona wants Ambriz to pitch off his fastball, and when he worked in shorter outings than he did as a college starter, his heater sat at 91-93 mph and touched 95. He also did a better job of keeping the ball down in the strike zone than he did at UCLA, with his mid-80s splitter resulting in a lot of groundballs. Ambriz also tightened his curveball. His curve and his changeup are still inconsistent, and he'll need to further develop them to succeed when he becomes a full-time starter next season. -
While he's a college pitcher, Wagner isn't the average college product. A former North Dakota State player, he saw his draft stock fall in 2005 due to a left kneecap injury that altered his mechanics and sapped his velocity. Healthy again, he and Aberdeen's Luis Lebron were the NY-P's dominant relievers. Wagner had the league's best fastball, sitting at 95-97 mph in just about every outing. He was content to blow fastballs by hitters, and his above-average control of the pitch means he can throw it for strikes to all four quadrants of the strike zone. However, Wagner lacks a second pitch. He has tried both a curveball and a slider, showing little feel for spinning a breaking ball. He had more success late in the summer when he started throwing a splitter, but he lacked confidence in the pitch. It looked better in the bullpen than in games. -
Cowart took the NWL by storm in his pro debut after the Giants drafted him in the 35th round as a Kansas State senior. He didn't allow an earned run in his first four starts and 21 innings, then reeled off an even longer stretch of five starts and 28 innings without yielding an earned run. On his way to winning NWL pitcher of the year honors, Cowart won his first 10 professional decisions before losing in his final regular-season outing. Cowart, who led the league with 10 wins and a 1.08 ERA, has impeccable control of underwhelming stuff, walking just eight batters in 83 innings. He also does a great job keeping the ball on the ground. The key to his success was the deception he creates with his funky submarine arm angle. He also has a very advanced feel for pitching, working both halves of the plate and leaving nothing above the knees. He has plenty of poise on the mound and fields his position well. But Cowart works in the 80-83 mph range with his fastball, topping out at 85, and he lacks a plus pitch. He also uses a slurvy breaking ball and a changeup. Cowart's future is in the bullpen, and his best-case scenario is that he can become a right-on-right specialist in the big leagues. Scouts are skeptical he'll be able to get hitters out at higher levels. -
A star tailback who rushed for 2,183 yards as an Illinois high school senior and could have played college football, Benson committed to baseball after the Twins made him a second-round pick in June. He offered one of the better combinations of power and speed in the GCL. He also has the range and enough arm to play center field. Besides his physical tools, Benson has a knack for making adjustments and playing with a football mentality. He can get too aggressive at times and will have to tone down his approach at the plate and on the bases. He had the mental toughness to handle a jump to low Class A after injuries riddled the Twins' Beloit affiliate. -
A guy who hit .224 in a return trip to low Class A doesn't seem like a prime candidate for the FSL Top 20. But Golson improved after a promotion to Clearwater and his ceiling remains high, even if he remains raw. "He's got all the tools," Legg said. Golson is a standout center fielder with plus range and arm strength, though his routes to the ball could use improvement. He's a plus-plus runner who's still learning how to pick his spots to steal. And he shows above-average power potential at the plate. Golson's only problem is a big one. He has yet to show the ability to make consistent contact, as evidenced by his .233 batting average and 160 strikeouts between two Class A stops this year. He doesn't recognize pitches well and he pulls off the ball too much. But he also has quick hands and a quick bat, which lead some to believe he'll figure it out. "He's young," Warner said. "He'll chase here and there, but if you make a mistake, it's a different sound coming off of his bat." -
A revelation offensive and defensively in his 2005 pro debut, Lowrie suffered a high ankle sprain in May, missed a month and didn't find any rhythm at the plate until August. When he finally go healthy, he hit .325 with two of his three homers in the final month. While there are questions about Lowrie remaining at short because he lacks range and eye-popping arm strength, several scouts compared him to Jeff Blauser and Kevin Elster and gave him a chance to stay there. "He's kind of like David Eckstein with a lot better tools," an AL scout said. "You sit there and say to yourself, 'That guy's an everyday shortstop.' He makes the plays, nothing necessarily real flashy, but he's going to get it done." -
The Padres won the league in part because of the ability of Durango and Hunter to get on base and the knack Carrasco and league RBI champ Ranyor Contreras had for driving them in. San Diego officials rave about Carrasco's raw power, though some managers questioned his defense and listed age of 19, preferring Contreras. A year younger and more physical, Carrasco earns the nod here for two big power tools. Besides his pop, he also has a plus throwing arm, as well as the range and hands to become an average defensive third baseman. "He's a legitimate switch-hitter, and when he got into one, it went a long way," one manager said. "He needs to improve his pitch recognition and he's pretty mature physically, but he has outstanding power." -
Though Severino was repeating the league and is significantly older than the other pitchers on this list, his stuff stood out. He had arguably the best fastball in the league, a 92-93 mph heater that explodes on hitters and enabled him to lead the league with 90 strikeouts in 68 innings. Three times he struck out 10 or more batters in a start. At 5-foot-11 and 150 pounds, Severino doesn't resemble a power pitcher, but he attacks hitters and his stuff certainly plays that way. His quick arm action also makes his slider tough to hit, though the pitch is a work in progress. Severino has average command of a changeup he throws to keep hitters from sitting on his fastball. His inconsistent mechanics sometimes lead to lapses in control. -
The league MVP, Baisley did it all. He led the MWL in runs (86) and RBIs (110, the second-highest total in the minors) and also was the circuit's best defensive third baseman. Baisley is a very good situational hitter who doesn't try to do too much. He has a balanced stance, sound swing and pitch-recognition skills, enabling him to drive balls from gap to gap. He moves better than most 6-foot-3, 210-pounders, showing range to both sides, and has a solid arm. The biggest knock against him was his age: 23, ancient for low Class A. The Athletics are also high on fellow third baseman Myron Leslie (Baisley's former South Florida teammate), who was ensconced in high Class A, so they left Baisley at Kane County. "It's an absolute crime that kid played there for the entire season," a second AL scout said. -
Denorfia continued to do what he's always done--hit for average, get on base and play good defense--as he spent the season shuttling between the majors and the minors. He saw more time with the Reds after the mid-July trade of Austin Kearns, but Denorfia didn't hit enough to avoid a demotion. His future is probably as a fourth outfielder. Denorfia is a manager's delight because he's an overachiever who plays with passion. He has no one exceptional tool, but he's a disciplined, line-drive hitter who can take the ball up the middle or to the opposite field. He's probably no more than a 15-home run hitter in the majors. "He puts the ball in play and he's a good two-strike hitter," Cliburn said. "We played one series where we couldn't get him out. We'd pitch him away and he'd go the other way. Pitch him in and he'd drive it into the gap." Denorfia has average range in center field and enough arm to play in right. Above-average speed may be Denorfia's strongest tool, and he succeeded in 15 of 16 steal attempts. -
Outman doesn't have the feel for pitching that his teammate Maloney does, but he throws significantly harder. He also put together one of the most dominant months any minor league pitcher had this year when he went 5-0, 0.28 in August. He won 13 of his final 15 decisions. A wiry 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds, Outman often catches hitters off guard with his 90-94 mph fastball. His 80-84 mph slider also has the potential to be a plus pitch. He throws a curveball as well, but the consensus is that he'd be better off scrapping it and sticking solely with his slider. The key to Outman's future will be his changeup, which is still fringy. If it doesn't improve, his fastball-slider combo alone should make him an effective reliever. -
Olson climbed to Double-A in his first full pro season and displayed durability, consistency and solid-average stuff. If he improves his command and changeup, he could become a No. 3 or 4 starter. His fastball sits near 90 mph, and Olson has crafted a two-seamer that's slower but helps his cause against righthanders. His well above-average curveball is sharp with late, hard break and tight rotation. It's especially tough on lefties. He mixes his pitches well and moves them around, but he works deep in the count too often and tries to be too fine. His curve alone guarantees that he should become at least a dependable left-on-left reliever. -
Guzman has yet to duplicate his breakout 2004 season, and the Dodgers finally decided to use him in a deadline deal for Julio Lugo in July. His days as a shortstop have come to an end, and is future now appears to be in the outfield or first base, with third base also a possibility. Guzman still stands out from a physical standpoint, as he's a 6-foot-6, 250-pounder loaded with athleticism. He still needs to tighten his strike zone and add more defensive polish at his new positions, but he has tape-measure power, above-average arm strength and solid speed. "I like his size and power potential," DeFrancesco said. "The length of his swing has to be shortened, though, in order to survive in the big leagues. I see him as a first baseman. He'd be a nice big target over there with above-average athleticism for the position." -
Broadway started his season as strong as anyone in league, going 3-1, 1.74 in April. But then his delivery fell out of whack for two months, and hitters feasted on fastballs left up in the strike zone. He eventually fixed his mechanics and got back on track. The best pitch in Broadway's arsenal is a plus-plus spike curveball, which he commands to any part of the plate and will throw in any count. His average 89-90 mph fastball lacks consistent life and flattens out late in games. He seldom used a changeup in college and needs to increase arm speed to make it an effective third pitch. "He's polished and he's a fast-track guy," a NL scout said. "Whether he's fast-tracked as a pen guy or a starter depends on that changeup. It shows flashes, but sometimes it's very easy for hitters to pick up what's coming." -
A former high school valedictorian, Headley stands out most for his headsy approach to the game. Multiple managers commented on how much they enjoyed talking to him while they coached third base and he played the field. Headley does everything fairly well but nothing exceptionally well. His biggest asset is his plate discipline and pitch recognition. A switch-hitter, he's much more effective as a lefty, though his swing is tailored more to hit line drives than home runs from both sides. Power is the biggest question mark, because he lacks physical projection and scouts doubt he'll have enough pop for third base. He's a solid defender at the hot corner, with soft hands, a fairly strong, very accurate arm and adequate range. He does a good job charging bunts and makes all the routine plays. One scout compared Headley to Greg Norton, and he could end up as a solid player off the bench. -
Balentien drew comparisons to Manny Ramirez from league managers, both for his hitting potential and for his sometimes mystifying on-field behavior. Some managers called him a hot dog. He's one of the most intriguing power hitters in the minors--and represented the Mariners in the Futures Game in July--but his performance this season didn't match his potential. He has all the tools to be a middle-of-the-lineup force, including light-tower power. "My God, he can hit the ball a long way," Clark said. He has strength in his body and in his swing, with power from gap to gap, but his swing is big and he has not shown an ability to cut it down based on the count. He also struggled with breaking stuff, though he did show a willingness to hit the ball the other way this year. Balentien has a strong arm and runs well, though he's not a burner, and he played both right and center field for San Antonio. His long-term fit is in right, though. His attention sometimes wavered, and he led TL outfielders with 11 errors. -
A preseason appendectomy nearly derailed Hynick's junior season at Birmingham-Southern, but he rebounded to post a 2.59 ERA this spring. The Rockies pounced on him in the eighth round, confident they could help crispen his secondary stuff behind his 90-93 mph fastball. He quickly bought into instruction and went on to capture the league's pitcher of the year award. Hynick has an unorthodox arm action, but it works for him and hasn't hampered his ability to fill the strike zone. He made a lot of progress with a splitter that one coach said was the league's best pitch. He still has more work to do with his curveball and changeup. -
Pino was the best young Latin middle infielder in the league, though Aberdeen's Pedro Florimon received notice for his outstanding shortstop defense. Pino has more offensive upside and polish than Florimon, and his athletic ability stood out in a league dominated by college players. Pino ranked third in the league batting race, relying on a quick bat, contact-oriented approach and excellent hand-eye coordination. He fits best as a No. 2 hitter, though he needs to improve his bunting as well as his willingness to draw walks. He's an above-average runner and was caught just twice in 20 attempts. Pino's arm strength limits him to second base, but he has enough to be efficient at turning the double play. -
A native of Montana, where there's no high school baseball, the 6-foot-9 Mickolio played only basketball until the summer before his senior year of high school, when he began playing American Legion ball. He showed enough promise in his first year at Eastern Utah JC in 2003 that the Cardinals drafted him in the 35th round, and he made even more progress after transferring to Utah Valley State. With his enormous size, Mickolio was an imposing bullpen arm for Everett this summer. His height allows him to pitch on a downward angle and induce plenty of groundballs, as evidenced by his 49-18 ground-fly ratio. He works in the low 90s with a heavy fastball that has plenty of life and touches 94 mph. Mickolio also flashes a decent slider now and then, though he still has plenty of work to do on it and his changeup. His slider lacks tight rotation and doesn't miss many bats, and he needs to do a better job commanding his stuff within the strike zone. But considering how far Mickolio has come in his short pitching career, it's not a huge stretch to project him as a major league reliever. -
Another piece of the Abreu trade, Monasterios remained in the GCL with Sanchez, with both players moving across town from Tampa to Clearwater. As with most young pitchers, his best pitch is his fastball. He usually throws in the low 90s but was clocked as high as 96 mph. Monasterios pounds the strike zone and walked just six batters in 45 innings. He flashes a plus breaking ball, but it flattens out when he gets around the pitch in his delivery. He has shown some feel for a changeup, though it remains a distant third option for now. -
Patterson never has wowed scouts, even when he was winning the Cape Cod League batting title or hitting 50 homers during his college career at Louisiana State. But he continues to hit, and he impressed FSL managers with his heady approach at the plate. He led the league with a .520 slugging percentage after topping the short-season New York-Penn League with a .595 mark in his pro debut a year ago. Patterson has quick hands and power to all fields. He hits breaking balls well, but there's some concern that he still has too much of an aluminum-bat swing, with his weight too far forward at contact, leaving him vulnerable to being busted inside. Though he has average speed and an average arm, Patterson was able to handle center field with few problems. He still profiles better on a corner, however. -
Before he moved up to Double-A and made way for Lillibridge, Bixler was one of the most exciting players in the league. As with Lillibridge, speed is Bixler's best tool, though he's not quite as fast. A spray hitter with gap power, Bixler learned to work counts more effectively this season. He's surehanded, but his range and arm are average at best and may be better suited for second base. "His bat is really going to have to carry him because he's not going to be a shortstop in the big leagues," a NL scout said. "He has some instincts there, but not enough to get to balls he should get to. He's Tony Graffanino for me." -
After signing for $150,000, Madrigal spent his first five seasons in pro ball as an outfielder. However, his above-average raw power didn't translate to games well enough because of his inability to recognize breaking balls. After getting off to a tough start in his third straight assignment to low Class A Cedar Rapids, Madrigal assented when the Angels asked him to move to the mound in late May. As a pitcher, Madrigal showed the same raw arm strength he had as an outfielder. His fastball touched 98 mph and he regularly sat at 94 mph when he maintained his mechanics. His slider also showed signs of being a reliable second pitch. Still just 22, he could move quickly if he continues to show aptitude in his new role. "What impressed me was the poise he showed for being new to pitching," Angels manager Ever Magallanes said. "He had pretty good mound presence for his level of experience." -
After finishing second in the Missouri Valley Conference batting race with a .382 average, Ashley figured to tear up the Appy League--and he did by hitting .333 and leading the league with a .440 on-base percentage. The oldest player on this list, he made quick transition to wood bats and made hard contact to all fields. He's physically mature but still may have room for growth in the power department. While he is highly athletic for a catcher, Ashley still needs work behind the plate. In instructional league, the Devil Rays plan to address his mechanical flaws in terms of his setup, receiving and blocking. He does have good hands, shows a plus arm at times and threw out 52 percent of basestealers in his pro debut. -
While Kelly is steady, Ciriaco is spectacular but also erratic. Though he had one of the MWL's strongest infield arms and was one of its fastest players, he stole just 19 bases in 27 attempts and led the minors with 45 errors. "He has God-given talent," Joyce said. "He might have the best arm strength in the league. It's right there with (2004 No. 1 overall pick) Matt Bush, and he's more accurate and gets to more balls than Bush." Still learning to apply that talent, Ciriaco plays out of control at the plate and in the field. He chases pitches out of the strike zone, gets his feet tangled up on defense and commits mental as well as physical mistakes. But he has the hand-eye coordination to hit, and the physical skills to excel in all aspects of the game if he slows himself down. -
Haeger topped the IL with 14 wins and finished among the league leaders in nearly every category: 3.07 ERA (fourth), 170 innings (fourth), 130 strikeouts (fourth) and 78 walks (second). With uncanny command of a knuckleball for such a young pitcher, Haeger projects as an innings-eating No. 5 starter. Though Haeger still walked a lot of batters, he has improved the command of his lively knuckler to the point where he can go to either corner with the pitch. He can change speeds on the knuckler--ranging from 65-75 mph--depending on the effect it's having on batters. Some IL batters thought his knuckleball was the best they'd ever seen, and he reminded one scout of Tom Candiotti for the action he got on the pitch. When he falls behind, Haeger can go to a straight 84-86 mph fastball, a pitch that's easier to locate. It's strictly a get-me-over offering, which is problematic on days when his knuckler doesn't cooperate. -
Until Will Inman qualified for the ERA title in his last start of the season, Matt Maloney was in line to capture the SAL pitching triple crown. He settled for leading the league in victories (16), innings (169) and strikeouts (180) while winning the league's pitch-of-the-year award. He's a classic soft-tossing lefty who relies on command and guile. His fastball sits at 85-87 mph and he compliments it with a slider, changeup and curveball. He locates all of his pitches well and his fastball the best, making it his go-to offering. With his advanced feel, he should move fast, but his lack of velocity will give him far less room for error as he advances. The 6-foot-4 Maloney has a tendency to stay upright in the finish to his delivery, causing him to leave the ball up in the zone, which could be a problem at higher levels. -
Things really fell apart for Liz shortly after he was called up from high Class A in July. He overpowered hitters in the Carolina League but his below-average command doomed him in the EL. He left his stuff over the plate and fell behind in the count too often. Liz has a lightning-fast arm that generates 97-mph heat, but he struggles to repeat his delivery and release point. His curveball is inconsistent, as is his changeup. At times, both show the potential to be plus pitches. His upside is significant, and 2006 was just his second season in America, so with time Liz could develop into a starter in the mold of Orioles righty Daniel Cabrera. At worst, he moves to the bullpen and could become a closer. -
Volquez entered the season rated as the Rangers' No. 1 prospect, based on his mid-90s fastball and well above-average changeup. He used those pitches to finish fourth in the PCL in strikeouts (130 in 121 innings) and fifth in ERA (3.21) while limiting Triple-A hitters to a .203 average. "His arm strength is outstanding," Sacramento manager Tony DeFrancesco said. "He was 94, 95 with his fastball against us. His slider was hard and he had a decent changeup. He just needs command. Right now, it's not there." Volquez, who ranked third in the PCL with 72 walks, had even more trouble locating his stuff in the majors. He has a 1-10, 9.20 record with Texas--the worst ERA in major league history for a pitcher who has made 10 starts. With the Rangers, he consistently has fallen behind hitters, gotten crushed when he has found the plate and failed to show a reliable breaking ball. -
Sonnanstine's stuff isn't as good as Niemann's or Talbot's, but unlike them, he played a role in Montgomery's success all season long. He reeled off nine straight victories in June and July, and he led the minors with four complete games--all shutouts. Durable and resilient, he topped the SL in wins (15) and innings (186, which ranked second in the minors). Sonnanstine's plus-plus control and plus command are more notable than the quality of his pitches. His best offering is his changeup, as he worked hard with Biscuits pitching coach Xavier Hernandez to perfect his grip and arm action. He also throws an 89-92 mph fastball and a slurvy breaking ball, keeping hitters off balance by varying his arm angle and changing speeds. "This guy might be too smart for the game," an AL scout said. "He's confident, mixes his pitches well and always seems to have a plan." -
Ramos wore down in his 2005 pro debut after pitching 126 innings at Long Beach State that spring, but he entered this season refreshed and it showed. He went 7-4, 2.93 over the season's first four months before fatigue set in once again, and he went 0-4, 8.27 in August. When he's at his best like he was in the first half, Ramos has very good command of a four-pitch mix. He has a solid-average fastball that sits at 88-91 mph and jumps up to 92-93 when he needs it, and he uses an average curveball and average slider. His best pitch is a plus changeup that's effective against righthanders. Ramos doesn't rack up many strikeouts, but works to all corners of the zone to keep hitters off balance. He left too many pitches up late in the season when his arm was tired. He has an easy, compact delivery and a physical 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame that should prove more durable as he gets acclimated to a pro workload. -
You're excused if you had never heard of Evans before this year. No one else had, either. He spent 3½ seasons in obscurity in the Cardinals organization, and he returned to high Class A for the third time to open 2006. He hit 15 home runs in 60 games there to earn a promotion to Springfield, and then he was traded to the Angels in the July for Jeff Weaver, which kept him in the Texas League at Arkansas. He finished the season with a combined 33 home runs, 37 stolen bases and a .942 on-base plus slugging percentage. Evans always had been regarded as a hard worker with an intriguing combination of power and speed. This season he developed a more relaxed, consistent approach at the plate that kept him from getting himself out by chasing pitches and going into prolonged slumps. Evans played exclusively in right field while in Springfield, but he played mostly in center for Arkansas. While he has the speed to play center on occasion, his strong arm and power profile perfectly in right. -
Chapman spent his third straight season in Rookie ball, but he showed enough this year to earn a late-season promotion to low Class A. PL observers liked his lefthanded bat, as he has good pitch recognition and uses the entire field. He should have at least doubles power as he advances, and he adjusted well after early-season struggles against southpaws. He's just an average runner, but has good instincts and can steal a base. He plays too shallow in center field, as balls get over his head and he doesn't always have enough speed to track them down. -
The proverbial crafy lefty, Salamida's success was too much for league observers to ignore. After dropping his first start despite not giving up any earned runs, he won his final 10 decisions in the regular season before losing to Kontos in the league championship game. Salamida led the NY-P in wins (10) and ERA (1.06). A two-way player at Division II SUNY Oneonta, Salamida has average size, average stuff and well above-average control, as well as a knack for pitching and moxie. His fastball sat in the upper 80s and touched 90, and he threw his changeup (his best secondary pitch) and slider for strikes with maddening regularity. He's the kind of pitcher who will have to prove himself at every level, but so far, so good. "Most guys in the league were one-pitch guys," Greer said. "This was a four-pitch guy who could throw breaking balls for strikes in fastball counts, then freeze a hitter with an 0-2 fastball. He was impressive." -
A year after being drafted in the fifth round out of high school and spending a summer in the Arizona League, Deal handled the jump to the Northwest League well and emerged as Vancouver's top starter. He struck out just 35 in 76 innings of work, but he doesn't ever figure to be a strikeout pitcher. He's a sinkerballer who posted a 106-80 ground-fly ratio and allowed just three homers in 76 innings. Deal has a tall, skinny frame with plenty of room to fill out, so he could increase the velocity on his 87-89 mph fastball that touches 91-92. It's a heavy pitch with good sink and life, and he commands it well most of the time. "He's very aggressive and he comes right at you," Gainer said. "Everyone knew he had that sinker and it didn't matter. He just got ground ball after ground ball." Deal also has a slider and changeup that can be average at times. He has cleaned up his arm action quite a bit since high school, and he now does a good job of repeating his fluid, easy delivery. -
The Yankees used McAllister in a relief role piggybacking with Betances, and they were a tough duo to beat. The son of Diamondbacks crosschecker Steve McAllister, Zach pitches with the savvy of someone who grew up around the game. McAllister has added six inches and 60 pounds over the last two years, and he saw his heavy sinker climb to 90-92 this spring before gaining another tick of velocity during the summer. His secondary stuff is fringy, though he has shown feel for a slider that could be a plus pitch if learns to control it more effectively. Like Betances, McAllister pitched better as the summer went on. "He has a good, sinking fastball. It's a power sinker. It's his No. 1 pitch," Martin said. "He got lots of ground balls, and I could see him throwing harder as he matures." -
In a league dominated by pitching, Casilla was one of the few middle infielders who stood out. Acquired from the Angels in the offseason for J.C. Romero, Casilla started the season in Fort Myers and finished it in Minnesota. At the plate, Casilla takes advantage of his plus-plus speed by employing a running, slashing swing. He profiles as a leadoff hitter. He controls the strike zone and makes pitchers work, and once he reaches base, he's always a threat to steal. He has a knack for getting good jumps and reading pitchers. His weakness at the plate is his utter lack of power. Casilla played both second base and shortstop with the Miracle, and he's more polished at short right now. He has above-average range and arm strength. He's still figuring out his footwork and double-play pivot at second base. "He's very intelligent," Boles said. "You tell him to do something one time, he puts it into the game that night. He makes adjustments very quickly." -
Part of the talented Salem rotation, Reineke earned the win in the California-Carolina League all-star game. He has an intimidating presence on the mound, using his 6-foot-6 frame to unleash 93-94 mph fastballs on an extreme downward plane. He also throws a plus slider, with late sweeping life Reineke was more free and easy in his delivery this season, showing better overall balance and staying on a direct line toward home plate. He still lacks much feel for his changeup, part of the reason he was moved to the bullpen following a promotion to Double-A. It has good diving action at times but he has yet to find a comfortable grip or consistency with it. -
Peguero teamed with Avila to give the Mariners a 1-2 punch unrivaled in the league. They tied with teammate Wellington Dotel for the home run lead with seven, and Peguero's .649 slugging percentage easily topped the AZL. He didn't fare as well after a promotion to short-season Everett, however, where his inexperience with breaking balls and somewhat long swing were exposed. Peguero has a big, projectable frame at 6-foot-5, 210 pounds and moves well for a big man, though he figures to slow down as he fills out. He showed more ability and willingness to use the whole field than Avila did, but he doesn't have quite as much raw power. Peguero's outfield arm is another plus tool. -
The fact that Chavez, at age 17 and in his first year as a pro, bypassed the VSL for Pulaski suggests how highly the Blue Jays regard him. While he held his own in the Appalachian League, he's all projection at this point. Chavez has done well to adapt to a new culture and will continue to gain strength, though he is already physical at 6-foot-3 and 200 lbs. His swing has come a long way in a year, but he's still prone to chasing pitches out of the zone and is too pull-conscious. He'll be a corner outfielder because he doesn't have the instincts or range for center field, though he has average speed and arm strength. -
Kelly succeeded 2004 first-round pick Trevor Plouffe as Beloit's shortstop, and MWL observers liked Kelly more. A 2005 second-rounder, Kelly has better physical tools and is a superior hitter. He kept getting better as the year wore on until a torn meniscus in his left knee ended his season in late July. Kelly is more advanced than most teenage hitters. He has a solid approach, recognizes breaking balls, uses the whole field and has a plan with two strikes. He didn't show much power this summer but will have some pop once he adds some strength and experience. He'll hit enough to be a regular, though at what position is uncertain. Kelly has fringe-average speed, which cuts down on his range, but his positioning and cannon arm--he was clocked at 94-95 mph as a high school pitcher--allow him to make plays. "I always judge a shortstop by if he has to use his arm or not," Beloit manager Jeff Smith said. "His glove is so good and he's always in position, so he never has to use it. And he has one of the best arms in the league, too." -
Pedroia is the classic example of a player who plays above his tools. Opposing mangers described him as a pesky hitter and a tough out, but had reservations about his lack of power and range. Pedroia got results in Triple-A, though, batting .305 (fifth in the IL) with 30 doubles and nearly twice as many walks (48) as strikeouts (27). Pedroia makes up for below-average speed and raw power by maximizing his selectivity as a hitter and by using the whole field. He showed an aptitude for taking the breaking ball the other way, and he has the hand-eye coordination to make consistent contact while using a big swing. "Pitchers will always challenge Pedroia, and he will prove them wrong," a scout said. "He will put the ball in play. He'll use the first-base and third-base line. He's a kid you love to have on your club." Pedroia was a shortstop at Arizona State and spent the majority of his time there for Pawtucket, but he doesn't have the range to be a regular there in the majors. He spent a lot of time at second base, and his sure hands and strong arm play better at the keystone. -
The fourth Greensboro starter on this list, Thompson ranks just behind Volstad in terms of polish but his stuff has the least upside among the group. Like Volstad, Thompson has above-average command of three pitches. His fastball sits consistently at 88 mph with natural tailing action, and he'll occasionally crack 90. His 80-81 mph slider is his best secondary offering. He also has a change with a late downward break that he uses as an out pitch against righthanders, and he'll flash a slow curveball to set up his slider. Because of his lack of velocity, command will continue to be paramount for Thompson. His fastball was clocked as high as 92 mph in high school, so there's also the chance he could get back to that point. -
Part of the Jim Thome trade with the White Sox, Gonzalez had a productive first full season in the Phillies system. He showed durability by logging a career-high 155 innings as a 20-year-old and finished second in the league with 166 strikeouts. Gonzalez has a repeatable delivery and quick arm, but he's just 5-foot-11, which hinders to create good plane on his fastball. It sits at 87-91 mph and touches 93, but it lacks life and gets pounded when he leaves it up in the zone. He surrendered 24 home runs, tied for the most in the EL. Gonzalez possesses a well above-average downer curveball that remains his go-to offering. His changeup is a reliable third pitch. Without a plus fastball and fringy command--he led the league with 81 walks--he might move to the bullpen in the big leagues. -
Easily the best catcher ever developed by the Rockies, Iannetta continued to shine at the plate following a promotion to Colorado Springs in late June. He controls the strike zone very well, waiting out pitchers until they give him a pitch he can hammer. He calls a good game and has an average arm, and while throwing out basestealers has been an issue at times, he erased 31 percent in Triple-A. "He really gives you quality at-bats for a catcher," Runnells said. "In fact, he led our organization in quality at-bats. Defensively, he's a sponge for knowledge and he tries so hard to improve. He's a humble kid and a guy who is going to be a frontline catcher for years to come." -
Signed as a third baseman out of the Dominican Republic for $600,000 in 1998, Salas was converted to the mound midway through 2004 after hitting .264/.296/.361 over six seasons. He hasn't looked back, putting up ridiculous numbers in the SL this season and adding a Futures Game appearance to his resume. He didn't allow an earned run in 35 innings with the Biscuits and reached the majors in September. Salas has equally ridiculous stuff, starting with a fastball that sits at 93-96 mph, topping out at 98. While the velocity is plus-plus, so is the movement. One scout described his heater as "the best 95-mph slider I've ever seen," as it has sharp, cutting action away from righthanders. Salas also throws an actual 86-87 mph slider that has more pronounced depth and life, and it can be equally as devastating. As good as those two pitches are, he's still learning how to attack hitters. His mechanics dissolve at times, as he flies open with his front shoulder and his arm gets too far away from his body. -
Deduno continued to be an enigma, finishing second in the Cal League to teammate Morales with 167 strikeouts, but also leading the minors with 34 wild pitches and finishing fourth in the minors with 92 walks. Clearly, command is his bugaboo, but when he's on, he's nasty. His best pitch is a sometimes plus-plus power curveball, and he also showed an above-average 92-94 mph fastball with so much movement that his catchers would sometimes struggle to catch it cleanly. "That breaking ball is devastating, but I don't know what to think of this guy," a National League scout said. "The breaking ball is unhittable when he commands it, but after two or three innings, he couldn't find the release point. He was lights out for three innings both times I saw him, then was an absolute thrower." Right now, Deduno is essentially a two-pitch guy who profiles as a potential dominant reliver if he can harness his stuff. He has a little feel for his changeup, but it has a long way to go if he's to remain a starter. -
McBeth continued one of the most intriguing turnaround stories in the minors this season, reaching Triple-A in his first full season as a pitcher. Drafted by the Athletics as an outfielder in 2001, he turned to pitching in 2005 after a career .233 average kept him from getting out of Class A. On the mound, he has shown not only the stuff but also the makeup to be a successful reliever. He throws a fastball that tops out at 94-96 mph, and he backs it up with a slider that's particularly tough on righthanders. A's pitching instructor Ron Romanick also taught him a changeup that has become a put-away pitch because he does such a good job of maintaining his arm speed. He has also worked on a two-seam fastball that could become an out pitch if he can learn to control it. McBeth challenges hitters. He needs to refine his command, but he should be no worse than a setup man and has the raw stuff to close games if he continues to make strides. -
The Rockies grew tired of Strop's struggles with the bat, and after he hit .212/.277/.299 in four seasons as an infielder, they decided a career change was in order. They moved him to the mound this year, and he immediately took to pitching. He dominated the Pioneer League in 11 appearances and continued to impress after a promotion to low Class A. As with many converted position players, arm strength is Strop's forte. He threw 93-95 mph in spring training and has good control of his fastball, though he leans too heavily on the pitch. He also has a low-80s slider but must stay on top of it more often so it doesn't flatten out, making him vulnerable to home runs. "I'd try to start him next year to add some pitchability to his plus stuff," Kotchman said. "If not, you know you have a solid reliever." -
Hilligoss' track record says he'll hit. He batted .404 and .386 in his final two seasons at Purdue, .309 with wood bats in the Central Illinois Collegiate League in 2005, and .292 in his pro debut to finish 10th in the NY-P batting race. One scout who saw Hilligoss as an amateur compared his swing, offensive potential and overall game to Frank Catalanotto. As with Catalanotto, Hilligoss' forté is getting the barrel of the bat to the ball consistently, driving balls to the gaps and driving pitchers crazy with an advanced two-strike approach. He also hangs in well against lefthanders and hit .397 against them this summer. The Catalanotto comparisons extend to Hilligoss' defense as well. Though he profiles best as an infielder, he doesn't have the hands or range to stick in the middle of the diamond. He's a better fit at third base, but he doesn't project to hit for the power wanted there or on an outfield corner. Hilligoss will have to hit for a high average to be a factor--and he has done that at every level so far. -
Bailey's workload at Wagner this spring was limited as he recovered from May 2005 Tommy John surgery, but the Athletics saw enough power stuff to draft him in the sixth round. He was very impressive in his pro debut despite his 2-5 record, and he would have ranked second in the NWL in ERA if he hadn't fallen three innings shy of qualifying. With a big, physical frame that invites comparisons to Joe Blanton, Bailey could develop into a workhorse as he gets further away from his surgery. His heavy sinker bores in on righthanders at 91-93 mph and touches 94-95. He also has a solid-average 11-to-5 curveball with good rotation and depth, and a developing changeup that could become an average pitch if he learns to command it more consistently. Bailey has an aggressive approach but remains more of a thrower than a pitcher. He struggles to repeat his arm path and delivery, which has a lot of moving parts, making it difficult for him to command the strike zone and execute his pitches. He sometimes gets distracted and tries to pitch too quickly with speedsters on the basepaths. -
Myers figured to complement a banner 2006 recruiting class at Southern California until he accepted a $250,000 bonus as a fourth-round pick in June. That he signed was somewhat surprising, but even more so was his performance in his debut. Considered toolsy but extremely raw, he made significant strides in his swing and approach and tied for third in the GCL in batting. Myers' swing gets long but he showed above-average bat speed at times. He needs to improve his plate discipline and work counts more efficiently. He's wiry strong, and though he rarely showed power in games, he could hit 12-15 home runs annually. His well above-average speed is his best tool. Myers played all three outfield positions in the GCL and has the range to stay in center field. His reads and routes are raw, while his arm strength is average. -
There's a lot not to like about Jose Mijares. Start with his 3.57 ERA as a reliever, which doesn't stand out. Take a look at his 5-foot-10, 220-pound body, which screams Rich Garces. Scouts have questioned his makeup and mound demeanor as well. But when he rears back and throws, it's hard to not get excited. When he was locked in, Mijares featured a 94-95 mph fastball and a filthy 77-78 mph slider that both ranked among the best in the league. He only showed that plus stuff in limited stretches, however. At other times, his velocity would dip to the low 90s and his command would fall apart. Part of the problem is that Mijares hasn't worked hard enough to stay in shape, which hampers his ability to repeat his delivery. He also has a below-average changeup that hasn't improved much because he rarely uses it when working out of the bullpen. He's a long ways from the majors, but the wait could be worth it. -
For a player in just his second season at shortstop after playing center field for much of his college career, Lillibridge is very advanced with the glove. He has outstanding range and first-step quickness, with soft hands and an above-average arm that allows him to make plays from deep in the hole. With well above-average speed, Lillibridge profiles more as a tablesetter than a run producer. He incorporates very little of his lower half in his longish swing, with a pronounced drift in his hands and his feet spread wide apart. He made some adjustments to shorten his stroke, and his plate discipline was exceptional during his first full season. Energetic and driven, Lillibridge was one of the most consistent players in the league. He drew rave reviews from managers for his grind-it-out style. -
While Van Stratten isn't a pure speedster like Royals outfield mates Robinson or Jarrod Dyson, he's quick, has plenty of tools and looks like a steal from the 10th round of the 2006 draft. He set a national junior college record with 14 triples this spring at St. Louis CC-Meramec, and hit seven more to rank second in the AZL. His mix of gap power and speed mix impressed managers. Van Stratten showed the ability to drop a bunt or to sting the ball to both gaps. His best tools are his bat, with a short swing and outstanding pitch recognition considering his experience, and his above-average throwing arm. His gritty, all-out approach also earned him praise. -
Ramirez made a strong U.S. debut, finishing among the Appy League leaders in average (.314), hits (72), doubles (20) and triples (five) after spending three years in the Rookie-level Venezuelan Summer League. He has surprising pop for a 6-foot, 149-pounder, though he's more of a spray hitter now who takes the ball where it's pitched. He should add strength as he fills out. Ramirez spent most of the year at shortstop but also saw time at second base. He may profile better at second because while he has good range to his left, he has below-average range toward the shortstop hole. His footwork also needs improvement and he lacks the arm strength of a true shortstop. He's an average runner. -
When he was at his very best, Morlan ranked with the top pitchers in the league. One scout said Morlan turned in one of the three best performances he saw all year, along with Adenhart and Cueto. Cedar Rapids manager Bobby Magallanes said Morlan touched 97 mph in the ninth inning of an 11-strikeout complete game. He began the season in the bullpen, and that may be his long-term destination. His fastball usually sits in the low 90s but he's still seeking a consistent second pitch. He owns a mid-80s slider that shows flashes of bite and a developing changeup. Morlan has a quick arm and a smooth delivery that he repeats easily. He tends to drop his elbow, which causes his pitches to flatten out and arrive higher in the strike zone. He missed most of July with a sore shoulder but returned to pitch 22 scoreless innings over his final four starts. -
Bourn played for four teams this summer, ranging from Double-A Reading to the Phillies to Team USA, with perhaps his finest moment coming when he connected for two home runs in a victory against Cuba in the Olympic qualifying tournament. He spent just six weeks with Scranton, but made the most of his well above-average speed by stealing 15 bases in 16 tries and hitting seven triples, good for fourth in the league. Bourn has shown improvement with each promotion and he plays up to his strengths. He runs extremely well and is a smart baserunner capable of reading pitchers and using his raw speed. He has a good batting eye and projects as a solid-average major league hitter. He's also a plus defensive center fielder with a slightly above-average, accurate arm. His power is strictly gap-to-gap and is below average, but he can surprise opponents, as he did by taking Cuban flamethrower Pedro Luis Lazo deep. The Phillies want him to concentrate on hitting the ball in the air less and cutting down on his strikeouts, a byproduct of working deep counts. -
Like Cain, Campbell built on a 2005 MVP award in Rookie ball (the Appalachian League in his case) with a strong 2006 campaign. A student of the game who kept a notebook on the pitchers in the league, he applied that knowledge by leading the league with 22 homer. Campbell is an aggressive hitter who swings early in the count and rarely misses when pitchers make mistakes. He has ample pull power, but his open stance often leads to him flying open on the front side of his swing, making it hard to drive pitches to the opposite field. Though his speed is average at best, Campbell has good instincts and is an excellent baserunner with a knack for stealing bases when the opportunity arises. He's solid at third base but has a slow first step to his right. -
After a sensational first half in high Class A, Jurrjens moved up to the EL and continued to impress Tigers brass. He has thrown harder more consistently and shown more feel for pitching than Detroit anticipated when it signed him out of Curacao three years ago. Jurrjens' fastball ranges from 87-92 mph and touches 95, and he can spot it to both sides of the plate. His slider is below average, making his performance even more impressive considering he did it primarily off fastball command and a plus changeup. Jurrjens has a clean, simple delivery. Some scouts envision him moving to the bullpen, but if he develops a usable breaking ball, he could fill a role as a back-of-the-rotation starter in the big leagues. -
Montero had a breakthrough season in 2005 and proved it was no fluke this year. He makes consistently hard contact with a short stroke and did a better job of using the entire field this season. He also does a fine job behind the plate, showing an average arm with a quick release to go with strong blocking and game-calling ability. "He really improved the second time we saw him," Brundage said. "He made some adjustments, especially on the offspeed stuff. He's a very aggressive hitter. But the thing I like most about him his is presence behind the plate, especially for such a young guy in this league. He has a good arm and seemed to call a good game." -
With older brother Corey traded to the Orioles last offseason, there will be no Patterson brothers reunion in Chicago. But Eric is getting close to ready for Wrigley Field, recovering from a second-half slump to bat .358 following a mid-August promotion to Triple-A. Patterson's best tool is his speed, which rates as a 65-70 on the 20-80 scouting scale. He also has surprising power for his size, though he sometimes gets caught up too much in trying to hit homers. He has made strides in shortening his swing for a more gap-to-gap approach. Patterson's speed aids his range at second-base, though his first-step quickness and body control are a bit disappointing. His footwork around the bag is questionable, though he does have soft hands. -
Perez is a cerebral player, as one might expect from the highest-drafted player ever (seventh round, 2004) out of Columbia University. He learned how to switch-hit in the offseason, and while he struggled from the left side early in the year, he soon began hitting line drives and finished with a .303 average against righthanders. He's a dynamic player who led the minors with 123 runs scored. "He's a game-changer. You don't want to see him up in the ninth inning up by one or in a tie game, because he'll bunt, he'll slap one to left or hit it in the gap, and you're just praying you'll get the ball in fast enough before he gets to third," Steverson said. "He's just irritating. He roams the outfield like there are just floating pop-ups up there all day. I know for a fact he's taken 15 hits away from us." Perez has outstanding range in the outfield thanks to his plus-plus speed, though he's still working on his defensive instincts. He has a playable, if not strong, outfield arm. Perez has plenty of things to refine in his game--he strikes out too much for a top-of-the-order hitter, and he was thrown out in 16 of his 49 steal attempts--but he offers an intriguing leadoff package and enough strength at the plate to make him more than a one-dimensional Punch-and-Judy hitter.
Top 100 Rankings
Best Tools List
- Rated Best Defensive SS in the Florida State League in 2006
- Rated Best Control in the Florida State League in 2006
- Rated Best Reliever in the Florida State League in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the Florida State League in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive Outfielder in the Florida State League in 2006
- Rated Best Baserunner in the Florida State League in 2006
- Rated Best Strike-Zone Discipline in the Florida State League in 2006
- Rated Best Infield Arm in the Florida State League in 2006
- Rated Best Outfield Arm in the Florida State League in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive 1B in the Florida State League in 2006
- Rated Best Batting Prospect in the Florida State League in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive 3B in the Florida State League in 2006
- Rated Best Power Prospect in the Florida State League in 2006
- Rated Best Pitching Prospect in the Florida State League in 2006
- Rated Best Fastball in the Florida State League in 2006
- Rated Best Breaking Pitch in the Florida State League in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive 2B in the Florida State League in 2006
- Rated Most Exciting Player in the Florida State League in 2006
- Rated Fastest Baserunner in the Florida State League in 2006
- Rated Best Power Prospect in the Carolina League in 2006
- Rated Best Fastball in the Carolina League in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the Carolina League in 2006
- Rated Best Pitching Prospect in the Carolina League in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive SS in the Carolina League in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive 2B in the Carolina League in 2006
- Rated Best Reliever in the Carolina League in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive 1B in the Carolina League in 2006
- Rated Best Breaking Pitch in the Carolina League in 2006
- Rated Best Infield Arm in the Carolina League in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive 3B in the Carolina League in 2006
- Rated Best Control in the Carolina League in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive Outfielder in the Carolina League in 2006
- Rated Fastest Baserunner in the Carolina League in 2006
- Rated Best Baserunner in the Carolina League in 2006
- Rated Best Batting Prospect in the Carolina League in 2006
- Rated Most Exciting Player in the Carolina League in 2006
- Rated Best Strike-Zone Discipline in the Carolina League in 2006
- Rated Best Outfield Arm in the Carolina League in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the Midwest League in 2006
- Rated Best Outfield Arm in the Midwest League in 2006
- Rated Best Control in the Midwest League in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive Outfielder in the Midwest League in 2006
- Rated Best Breaking Pitch in the Midwest League in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive 1B in the Midwest League in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive 3B in the Midwest League in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive SS in the Midwest League in 2006
- Rated Best Reliever in the Midwest League in 2006
- Rated Best Fastball in the Midwest League in 2006
- Rated Most Exciting Player in the Midwest League in 2006
- Rated Fastest Baserunner in the Midwest League in 2006
- Rated Best Baserunner in the Midwest League in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive 2B in the Midwest League in 2006
- Rated Best Strike-Zone Discipline in the Midwest League in 2006
- Rated Best Infield Arm in the Midwest League in 2006
- Rated Best Power Prospect in the Midwest League in 2006
- Rated Best Batting Prospect in the Midwest League in 2006
- Rated Best Pitching Prospect in the Midwest League in 2006
- Rated Best Infield Arm in the International League in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive 1B in the International League in 2006
- Rated Best Power Prospect in the International League in 2006
- Rated Best Pitching Prospect in the International League in 2006
- Rated Best Control in the International League in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive SS in the International League in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the International League in 2006
- Rated Best Outfield Arm in the International League in 2006
- Rated Best Baserunner in the International League in 2006
- Rated Best Reliever in the International League in 2006
- Rated Most Exciting Player in the International League in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive 3B in the International League in 2006
- Rated Best Fastball in the International League in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive 2B in the International League in 2006
- Rated Best Batting Prospect in the International League in 2006
- Rated Best Breaking Pitch in the International League in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive Outfielder in the International League in 2006
- Rated Best Strike-Zone Discipline in the International League in 2006
- Rated Fastest Baserunner in the International League in 2006
- Rated Best Batting Prospect in the South Atlantic League in 2006
- Rated Best Infield Arm in the South Atlantic League in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive 3B in the South Atlantic League in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive 1B in the South Atlantic League in 2006
- Rated Best Strike-Zone Discipline in the South Atlantic League in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive Outfielder in the South Atlantic League in 2006
- Rated Best Power Prospect in the South Atlantic League in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive SS in the South Atlantic League in 2006
- Rated Best Pitching Prospect in the South Atlantic League in 2006
- Rated Most Exciting Player in the South Atlantic League in 2006
- Rated Best Control in the South Atlantic League in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the South Atlantic League in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive 2B in the South Atlantic League in 2006
- Rated Fastest Baserunner in the South Atlantic League in 2006
- Rated Best Baserunner in the South Atlantic League in 2006
- Rated Best Outfield Arm in the South Atlantic League in 2006
- Rated Best Fastball in the South Atlantic League in 2006
- Rated Best Breaking Pitch in the South Atlantic League in 2006
- Rated Best Reliever in the South Atlantic League in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive 2B in the Eastern League in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive Outfielder in the Eastern League in 2006
- Rated Best Baserunner in the Eastern League in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the Eastern League in 2006
- Rated Best Reliever in the Eastern League in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive Infielder in the Milwaukee Brewers in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the Milwaukee Brewers in 2006
- Rated Fastest Baserunner in the Milwaukee Brewers in 2006
- Rated Best Hitter for Average in the Milwaukee Brewers in 2006
- Rated Best Control in the Milwaukee Brewers in 2006
- Rated Best Slider in the Milwaukee Brewers in 2006
- Rated Best Fastball in the Milwaukee Brewers in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive Outfielder in the Milwaukee Brewers in 2006
- Rated Best Athlete in the Milwaukee Brewers in 2006
- Rated Best Changeup in the Milwaukee Brewers in 2006
- Rated Best Curveball in the Milwaukee Brewers in 2006
- Rated Best Strike-Zone Discipline in the Milwaukee Brewers in 2006
- Rated Best Power Hitter in the Milwaukee Brewers in 2006
- Rated Best Outfield Arm in the Milwaukee Brewers in 2006
- Rated Best Infield Arm in the Milwaukee Brewers in 2006
- Rated Best Hitter for Average in the New York Yankees in 2006
- Rated Best Outfield Arm in the New York Yankees in 2006
- Rated Best Strike-Zone Discipline in the New York Yankees in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive Infielder in the New York Yankees in 2006
- Rated Best Changeup in the New York Yankees in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the New York Yankees in 2006
- Rated Best Fastball in the New York Yankees in 2006
- Rated Best Athlete in the New York Yankees in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive Outfielder in the New York Yankees in 2006
- Rated Fastest Baserunner in the New York Yankees in 2006
- Rated Best Infield Arm in the New York Yankees in 2006
- Rated Best Curveball in the New York Yankees in 2006
- Rated Best Power Hitter in the New York Yankees in 2006
- Rated Best Control in the New York Yankees in 2006
- Rated Best Slider in the New York Yankees in 2006
- Rated Best Changeup in the Miami Marlins in 2006
- Rated Fastest Baserunner in the Miami Marlins in 2006
- Rated Best Fastball in the Miami Marlins in 2006
- Rated Best Athlete in the Miami Marlins in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the Miami Marlins in 2006
- Rated Best Curveball in the Miami Marlins in 2006
- Rated Best Outfield Arm in the Miami Marlins in 2006
- Rated Best Control in the Miami Marlins in 2006
- Rated Best Power Hitter in the Miami Marlins in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive Outfielder in the Miami Marlins in 2006
- Rated Best Slider in the Miami Marlins in 2006
- Rated Best Strike-Zone Discipline in the Miami Marlins in 2006
- Rated Best Hitter for Average in the Miami Marlins in 2006
- Rated Best Infield Arm in the Miami Marlins in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive Infielder in the Miami Marlins in 2006
- Rated Best Infield Arm in the Chicago White Sox in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the Chicago White Sox in 2006
- Rated Best Strike-Zone Discipline in the Chicago White Sox in 2006
- Rated Best Control in the Chicago White Sox in 2006
- Rated Best Changeup in the Chicago White Sox in 2006
- Rated Best Slider in the Chicago White Sox in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive Infielder in the Chicago White Sox in 2006
- Rated Best Outfield Arm in the Chicago White Sox in 2006
- Rated Best Athlete in the Chicago White Sox in 2006
- Rated Fastest Baserunner in the Chicago White Sox in 2006
- Rated Best Hitter for Average in the Chicago White Sox in 2006
- Rated Best Curveball in the Chicago White Sox in 2006
- Rated Best Fastball in the Chicago White Sox in 2006
- Rated Best Power Hitter in the Chicago White Sox in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive Outfielder in the Chicago White Sox in 2006
- Rated Best Athlete in the Atlanta Braves in 2006
- Rated Best Infield Arm in the Atlanta Braves in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive Infielder in the Atlanta Braves in 2006
- Rated Fastest Baserunner in the Atlanta Braves in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive Outfielder in the Atlanta Braves in 2006
- Rated Best Strike-Zone Discipline in the Atlanta Braves in 2006
- Rated Best Hitter for Average in the Atlanta Braves in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the Atlanta Braves in 2006
- Rated Best Outfield Arm in the Atlanta Braves in 2006
- Rated Best Curveball in the Atlanta Braves in 2006
- Rated Best Control in the Atlanta Braves in 2006
- Rated Best Power Hitter in the Atlanta Braves in 2006
- Rated Best Fastball in the Atlanta Braves in 2006
- Rated Best Changeup in the Atlanta Braves in 2006
- Rated Best Slider in the Atlanta Braves in 2006
- Rated Best Infield Arm in the Philadelphia Phillies in 2006
- Rated Best Slider in the Philadelphia Phillies in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive Infielder in the Philadelphia Phillies in 2006
- Rated Best Hitter for Average in the Philadelphia Phillies in 2006
- Rated Best Outfield Arm in the Philadelphia Phillies in 2006
- Rated Best Athlete in the Philadelphia Phillies in 2006
- Rated Best Curveball in the Philadelphia Phillies in 2006
- Rated Best Power Hitter in the Philadelphia Phillies in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the Philadelphia Phillies in 2006
- Rated Best Fastball in the Philadelphia Phillies in 2006
- Rated Best Control in the Philadelphia Phillies in 2006
- Rated Best Changeup in the Philadelphia Phillies in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive Outfielder in the Philadelphia Phillies in 2006
- Rated Fastest Baserunner in the Philadelphia Phillies in 2006
- Rated Best Strike-Zone Discipline in the Philadelphia Phillies in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the Minnesota Twins in 2006
- Rated Best Changeup in the Minnesota Twins in 2006
- Rated Best Defensive Outfielder in the Minnesota Twins in 2006
- Rated Best Athlete in the Minnesota Twins in 2006
- Rated Fastest Baserunner in the Minnesota Twins in 2006
- Rated Best Control in the Minnesota Twins in 2006
- Rated Best Power Hitter in the Minnesota Twins in 2006
- Rated Best Infield Arm in the Minnesota Twins in 2006
- Rated Best Curveball in the Minnesota Twins in 2006
- Rated Best Outfield Arm in the Minnesota Twins in 2006
Career Transactions
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RHP Sarlin Polanco assigned to ACL D-backs Black from ACL D-backs Red.
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RHP Lisandro Almonte assigned to ACL D-backs Black from ACL D-backs Red.
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3B Gino Groover assigned to ACL D-backs Black from ACL D-backs Red.
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Houston Astros optioned CF Corey Julks to Sugar Land Space Cowboys.
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LHP Colton Gordon assigned to Sugar Land Space Cowboys from Corpus Christi Hooks.
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OF Barrett Riebock assigned to ACL Guardians.
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C Ralphy Velazquez assigned to ACL Guardians.
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OF Jonah Advincula assigned to ACL Guardians.
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OF Tommy Hawke assigned to ACL Guardians.
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1B Ernesto Martinez assigned to Biloxi Shuckers from Wisconsin Timber Rattlers.
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Miami Marlins recalled RHP Eury Pérez from Pensacola Blue Wahoos.
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RHP Miguel Rodriguez assigned to Wichita Wind Surge from Cedar Rapids Kernels.
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LHP Ryan Ramsey assigned to Quad Cities River Bandits from Columbia Fireflies.
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OF Carson Roccaforte assigned to Columbia Fireflies from ACL Royals.
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OF Jean Ramirez assigned to Quad Cities River Bandits from Columbia Fireflies.
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OF Kyle Henley assigned to ACL Reds.
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C Kenny Piper assigned to Montgomery Biscuits from Bowling Green Hot Rods.
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OF Dru Baker assigned to Montgomery Biscuits from Bowling Green Hot Rods.
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C Nate Soria assigned to Bowling Green Hot Rods from Montgomery Biscuits.
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LHP Keyshawn Askew assigned to Montgomery Biscuits from Bowling Green Hot Rods.
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RHP Jheremy Vicente assigned to DSL Royals Gold from DSL Royals Blue.
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RHP Will Stevens assigned to FCL Rays.
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RHP Seth Chavez assigned to FCL Rays.
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RHP Jake Bockenstedt assigned to ACL White Sox from White Sox Organization.
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RHP Jake Peppers assigned to ACL White Sox from White Sox Organization.
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LHP Frankeli Arias assigned to ACL White Sox from White Sox Organization.
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3B Gino Groover assigned to ACL D-backs Black from ACL D-backs Red.
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RHP Sarlin Polanco assigned to ACL D-backs Black from ACL D-backs Red.
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RHP Lisandro Almonte assigned to ACL D-backs Black from ACL D-backs Red.
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Visalia Rawhide sent SS Jansel Luis on a rehab assignment to ACL D-backs Black.
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RHP Tyler Chatwood assigned to ACL D-backs Black.
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Visalia Rawhide sent OF Druw Jones on a rehab assignment to ACL D-backs Black.
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Visalia Rawhide sent 2B Jancarlos Cintron on a rehab assignment to ACL D-backs Black.
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3B Matt Kroon assigned to Lehigh Valley IronPigs from Reading Fightin Phils.
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C Max McDowell assigned to Lehigh Valley IronPigs from Reading Fightin Phils.
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Lehigh Valley IronPigs transferred RHP Jace Vines from the 7-day injured list to the 60-day injured list.
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Lehigh Valley IronPigs transferred C Aramis Garcia to the Development List.
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RHP Jheremy Vicente assigned to DSL Royals Gold from DSL Royals Blue.
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RHP Darlin Mendez assigned to DSL Padres Gold from DSL Padres Brown.
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RHP Victor Lazala assigned to DSL Padres Gold from DSL Padres Brown.
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RHP Edgar Leon assigned to DSL LAD Bautista from DSL LAD Mega.
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RHP Edgar Leon assigned to DSL LAD Bautista from DSL LAD Mega.
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C Colin Burgess assigned to West Michigan Whitecaps from Toledo Mud Hens.
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1B Ernesto Martinez assigned to Biloxi Shuckers from Wisconsin Timber Rattlers.
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OF Jean Ramirez assigned to Quad Cities River Bandits from Columbia Fireflies.
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SS Dustin Dickerson assigned to Quad Cities River Bandits from ACL Royals.
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LHP Ryan Ramsey assigned to Quad Cities River Bandits from Columbia Fireflies.
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Miami Marlins optioned RHP Geoff Hartlieb to Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.
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Miami Marlins sent LHP Devin Smeltzer outright to Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.
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Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp activated RHP Geoff Hartlieb.
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Los Angeles Angels recalled RHP Zack Weiss from Salt Lake Bees.
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Milwaukee Brewers optioned LHP Bennett Sousa to Nashville Sounds.
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Nashville Sounds activated LHP Bennett Sousa.
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New York Mets selected the contract of CF Abraham Almonte from Syracuse Mets.
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New York Mets recalled SS Jonathan Araúz from Syracuse Mets.
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New York Mets optioned 3B Brett Baty to Syracuse Mets.
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Syracuse Mets sent CF Lorenzo Cedrola on a rehab assignment to FCL Mets.
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Boston Red Sox selected the contract of RHP Dinelson Lamet from Worcester Red Sox.
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New York Yankees recalled LHP Nick Ramirez from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.
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C Max McDowell assigned to Lehigh Valley IronPigs from Reading Fightin Phils.
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C Arturo De Freitas assigned to Reading Fightin Phils from Jersey Shore BlueClaws.
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3B Matt Kroon assigned to Lehigh Valley IronPigs from Reading Fightin Phils.
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2B Nick Ward assigned to Reading Fightin Phils from Jersey Shore BlueClaws.
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C Colin Burgess assigned to West Michigan Whitecaps from Toledo Mud Hens.
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Detroit Tigers optioned SS Isan Díaz to Toledo Mud Hens.
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RHP Jarret Whorff assigned to Cedar Rapids Kernels from Fort Myers Mighty Mussels.
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RHP John Klein assigned to Fort Myers Mighty Mussels from FCL Twins.
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RHP Jorge Rodriguez assigned to St. Lucie Mets from FCL Mets.
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Chicago White Sox optioned LHP Sammy Peralta to Charlotte Knights.
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RHP Jarret Whorff assigned to Cedar Rapids Kernels from Fort Myers Mighty Mussels.
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RHP Miguel Rodriguez assigned to Wichita Wind Surge from Cedar Rapids Kernels.
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LHP Colton Gordon assigned to Sugar Land Space Cowboys from Corpus Christi Hooks.
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SS Wesley Zapata assigned to FCL Pirates from Greensboro Grasshoppers.
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RHP John Klein assigned to Fort Myers Mighty Mussels from FCL Twins.
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3B Cole Tate retired.
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RHP Charlee Soto assigned to FCL Twins.
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SS Wesley Zapata assigned to FCL Pirates from Greensboro Grasshoppers.
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FCL Pirates released SS Luis Tejeda.
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RHP Paul Skenes assigned to FCL Pirates.
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FCL Pirates released RHP Andy Maldonado.
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RHP Peyton Stumbo assigned to FCL Pirates.
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RHP Garrett McMillan assigned to FCL Pirates.
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RHP Jorge Rodriguez assigned to St. Lucie Mets from FCL Mets.
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ACL Reds activated C Andruw Salcedo.
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DSL Giants Black activated LHP Ricardo Estrada.
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West Michigan Whitecaps activated 1B Andrew Jenkins.
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Myrtle Beach Pelicans activated LHP Marino Santy.
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FCL Pirates activated RHP Paul Skenes.
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Visalia Rawhide sent SS Jansel Luis on a rehab assignment to ACL D-backs Red.
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ACL Reds activated RHP Nick Payero.
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ACL Reds activated RHP Nick Payero.
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St. Lucie Mets placed LHP Javier Atencio on the 7-day injured list.
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Corpus Christi Hooks released CF Matthew Barefoot.
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Durham Bulls sent RHP Colby White on a rehab assignment to Bowling Green Hot Rods.
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Frederick Baseball Club placed RHP Nate Peden on the 7-day injured list retroactive to August 2, 2023.
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Lake County Captains sent LHP Ryan Webb on a rehab assignment to ACL Guardians.
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Toledo Mud Hens activated LHP Zach Logue.
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Myrtle Beach Pelicans transferred LHP Marino Santy to the Development List.
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Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders activated RHP Deivi García.
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West Michigan Whitecaps transferred C Eduardo Valencia from the 7-day injured list to the 60-day injured list.
