Post by Scott (Phillies GM) on Mar 20, 2017 19:30:58 GMT -5
Catcher
Keibert Ruiz, C, Grade B-: Age 18, signed out of Venezuela in 2014 for just $140,000; outstanding debut hitting .374/.412/.527 with 15 walks, 27 strikeouts in 222 at-bats between Arizona Rookie League and Pioneer League; threw out just 20% of runners and arm is just so-so but defense is otherwise extremely good, very reliable and mobile, strong leadership ability; switch-hitter with doubles power and good contact ability; watch this one closely. ETA 2020.
www.minorleagueball.com/2017/1/6/14193446/los-angeles-dodgers-top-20-prospects-for-2017
1st Base
Josh Naylor, 1B, Grade B-: Age 19, first round pick by Marlins in 2015 from high school in Canada, traded to Padres in Andrew Cashner deal; hit combined .264/.302/.407 with 12 homers, 25 walks, 84 strikeouts in 481 at-bats between Low-A and High-A; huge raw power but did not perform up to his reputation last year with decent but not excellent production especially after the trade, granted he is very young; good contact rates a positive but he could use better strike zone management; strong enough to hit 30 homers a year; he’ll need to do that since he is limited to first base; ETA 2020.
www.minorleagueball.com/2017/2/3/14505292/san-diego-padres-top-20-prospects-for-2017
2nd Base
Jesmuel Valentin, 2B, Grade C+: Age 22, hit .269/.341/.395 with nine homers, 50 walks, 80 strikeouts in 446 at-bats between Double-A and Triple-A; switch-hitter who controls strike zone and will show some surprising power at times; solid defender at second base, though range too limited to play shortstop regularly; originally drafted by Dodgers in comp round in 2012, like Tocci he used to get more attention when the system was thinner but is still young and has made enough progress to earn spot on 40-man roster. ETA late 2017.
www.minorleagueball.com/2016/12/27/14090122/philadelphia-phillies-top-20-prospects-for-2017
Tony Renda, 2B, Grade C
Short Stop
None
3rd Base
None
Out Fielder
Alex Verdugo, OF, Grade B+/B: Age 20, second round pick in 2014; hit .273/.336/.407 with 44 walks, 67 strikeouts with 13 homers in 477 at-bats; young for the level but performed well; pure hitting skills with an improving eye and some of the best bat speed in the minor leagues; excellent throwing arm, range will work in right field; needs a year of Triple-A and ultimate home run power projection remains uncertain. ETA 2018.
www.minorleagueball.com/2017/1/6/14193446/los-angeles-dodgers-top-20-prospects-for-2017
Michael Gettys, OF, Grade B-: Age 21, second round pick in 2014; hit combined .305/.363/.442 with 23 doubles, 12 homers, 33 steals, 35 walks, 146 strikeouts in 505 at-bats between Low-A and High-A; excellent physical tools with 65 speed, 65 arm, and 55-60 raw power; raw remains the operative word here; he’s made some progress with the strike zone and hit for average last year but contact issues remain significant and pitch recognition will be severely tested in Double-A; could be a star if he can lock down the strike zone but more likely he’ll be a contributor who flashes dominance but doesn’t sustain it year-to-year. ETA 2019.
www.minorleagueball.com/2017/2/3/14505292/san-diego-padres-top-20-prospects-for-2017
Andrew Stevenson, OF, Grade B-/C+: Age 22, second round pick in 2015 out of Louisiana State; hit .304/.359/.418 in 273 at-bats in High-A, then .246/.302/.328 in 256 at-bats after moving up to Double-A; combined to steal 39 bases; very athletic, 60-grade speed and excellent instincts in center field; lacks arm strength and distance power; controls strike zone reasonably well but will have to show his bat will hold up against the best pitching; still working to hone swing mechanics. Regular CF if he hits enough, glove-and-speed fourth outfielder if he doesn’t. ETA 2018.
www.minorleagueball.com/2016/12/9/13903682/washington-nationals-top-20-prospects-for-2017
Pedro Jose Gonzalez, OF, Grade C+/B-: Age 19, signed for $1,300,000 out of Dominican Republic in 2014; hit .230/.290/.394 in Pioneer League with 14 walks, 77 strikeouts in 226 at-bats; on pure tools he would be in the Top Five in this system but his skills are very raw, dropping him down the list; 6-5, 190 build, raw power, speed, and arm all draw 55 or 60 grades; will flash good hitting skills but he doesn’t control the zone consistently and swing mechanics get out of whack easily at this point; high bust risk, but could also develop into a star. ETA 2021.
www.minorleagueball.com/2017/1/20/14336574/colorado-rockies-top-20-prospects-for-2017
Pitcher
Albert Abreu, RHP, Grade B: Age 21, acquired from Astros in Brian McCann deal; posted 3.72 ERA with 115/58 K/BB in 102 innings between Low-A and High-A; signed out of Dominican Republic in 2013; fastball up there with Acevedo at 94-98 MPH; plus slider, solid-average curveball and change-up as well; command needs more work but Yankees have the luxury of not rushing him; ETA late 2019.
www.minorleagueball.com/2016/12/6/13856026/new-york-yankees-top-20-prospects-for-2017
Ian Anderson, RHP, Grade B/B+: Age 18, first round pick in 2016, third-overall, from high school in New York; 2.04 ERA in 40 innings in rookie ball with 36/12 K/BB; low-to-mid-90s fastball from 6-3, 170 frame; slider and change-up can be inconsistent but are solid for his age; number three starter projection is a bit cautious at this point but I want to see how he handles a workload. ETA: 2021.
www.minorleagueball.com/2016/11/18/13681446/atlanta-braves-top-20-prospects-for-2017
Franklin Perez, RHP, Grade B/B+: Age 19; signed out of Venezuela in 2014 for $1,000,000; outstanding 2016 breakthrough season with 2.84 ERA in 67 innings in Low-A, 75/19 K/BB, pitching at age 18 in a full-season league; fastball at 90-96 MPH with more possible; already has good curveball and a much better changeup than typical for his experience level; athletic, throws strikes, strong mound presence; made highly positive impression on Midwest League observers; main question now is workload/durability; often viewed as potential number three starter but that may be under-selling him. Could be among the best pitching prospects in baseball nine months from now. ETA: late 2019.
www.minorleagueball.com/2016/12/12/13927492/houston-astros-top-20-prospects-for-2017
Duane Underwood Jr., RHP, Grade B-/C+: Age 22, 4.32 ERA in 73 innings between Double-A and lower-level injury rehab work, 62/35 K/BB; fastball up to 96 when healthy, both curveball and change-up flash plus but feel for pitching comes and goes; strikeout rates have not matched the stuff and he’s been dogged with nagging forearm/elbow soreness the last two seasons; talk increasing that he may wind up in bullpen. ETA 2018.
www.minorleagueball.com/2016/11/26/13734136/chicago-cubs-top-20-prospects-for-2017
Mason Thompson, RHP, Grade C+/B-: Age 18, drafted in third round in 2016 from high school in Texas, could have gone in first round but was recovering from Tommy John surgery; posted 2.25 ERA with 12/5 K/BB in 12 rookie ball innings; low-90s heat with chance for more due to projectable 6-7 frame, shows workable change-up and curve, like most pitchers his height he needs some mechanical consistency; high upside but we need to see how he manages workload. ETA 2020.
www.minorleagueball.com/2017/2/3/14505292/san-diego-padres-top-20-prospects-for-2017
Sandy Baez, RHP, Grade C+: Age 23, signed out of Dominican Republic in 2011; posted 3.81 ERA with 88/28 K/BB in 113 innings in Low-A, 125 hits; another hard-thrower with upper-90s fastball; throws strikes but whiff rate is low due to below-average breaking ball and change-up; doesn’t dominate as he should given his velocity, probably better off in pen and could advance rapidly if switched to that role. ETA 2019.
www.minorleagueball.com/2017/1/18/14315262/detroit-tigers-top-20-prospects-for-2017
Alex Wells, LHP, Grade C+: Age 19, brother of Lachlan Wells in the Twins system, from Australia; posted 2.15 ERA in 63 innings in the New York-Penn League with 50/9 K/BB; excellent pro debut; fastball just 86-90 but looks faster to the eye due to superb change-up, already commands fastball and change but the curveball needs more work, reflected in so-so strikeout rate; potential four/five starter though improved breaking ball and/or more velocity would help his chances. ETA 2021.
www.minorleagueball.com/2017/1/13/14265522/baltimore-orioles-top-20-prospects-for-2017
Artie Lewicki, RHP, Grade C+: Age 24, eighth round pick in 2014 from University of Virginia; posted 3.44 ERA with 77/19 K/BB in 89 innings between High-A and Double-A, 88 hits; low-90s fastball that can hit 95 at times, mixes in breaking ball and change-up, usually throws strikes, gets lots of grounders; four/five starter profile though history of durability concerns may make him better fit in pen, where his stuff would play up in short doses. ETA 2018.
www.minorleagueball.com/2017/1/18/14315262/detroit-tigers-top-20-prospects-for-2017
Jeff Brigham, RHP, Grade C+/C: Age 24, fourth round pick by Dodgers in 2014, traded to Marlins in Mat Latos transaction; posted 4.04 ERA with 112/47 K/BB in 123 innings in High-A, 115 hits; impressive 93-96 MPH fastball and a very good slider; change-up lags behind and he’ll move to the bullpen unless that improves; the Marlins have gotten results with similar pitchers at least as relief assets. ETA 2018.
www.minorleagueball.com/2017/1/26/14400624/miami-marlins-top-20-prospects-for-2017
Thomas Eshelman, RHP, Grade C+
Brock Burke, LHP, Grade C
Dylan Thompson, RHP, Grade C