Baseball Prospectus: Top-101 prospects

[Angrioter]

1. Byron Buxton, OF, Minnesota Twins

2. Xander Bogaerts, SS, Boston Red Sox

3. Oscar Taveras, OF, St. Louis Cardinals

4. Javier Baez, SS, Chicago Cubs

5. Carlos Correa, SS, Astros

6. Francisco Lindor, SS, Cleveland Indians

7. Addison Russell, SS, Oakland Athletics

8. Taijuan Walker, RHP, Seattle Mariners

9. Archie Bradley, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks

10. Kevin Gausman, RHP, Baltimore Orioles

11. Noah Syndergaard, RHP, New York Mets

12. Yordano Ventura, RHP, Kansas City Royals

13. Lucas Giolito, RHP, Washington Nationals

14. Miguel Sano, 3B, Minnesota Twins

15. Dylan Bundy, RHP, Baltimore Orioles

16. Jonathan Gray, RHP, Colorado Rockies

17. Kris Bryant, 3B, Chicago Cubs

18. Austin Hedges, C, San Diego Padres

19. Jameson Taillon, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates

20. George Springer, OF, Houston Astros

21. Mark Appel, RHP, Houston Astros

22. Robert Stephenson, RHP, Cincinnati Reds

23. Jackie Bradley, CF, Boston Red Sox

24. Gregory Polanco, CF, Pittsburgh Pirates

25. Albert Almora, CF, Chicago Cubs

26. Eddie Butler, RHP, Colorado Rockies

27. Marcus Stroman, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays

28. Chris Owings, SS, Arizona Diamondbacks

29. Raul Mondesi, SS, Kansas City Royals

30. Andrew Heaney, LHP, Miami Marlins

31. Aaron Sanchez, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays

32. Alex Meyer, RHP, Minnesota Twins

33. Kolten Wong, 2B, St. Louis Cardinals

34. Kyle Zimmer, RHP, Kansas City Royals

35. Julio Urias, LHP, Los Angeles Dodgers

36. Clint Frazier, CF, Cleveland Indians

37. Nick Castellanos, 3B, Detroit Tigers

38. Kyle Crick, RHP, San Francisco Giants

39. Rougned Odor, 2B, Texas Rangers

40. Lucas Sims, RHP, Atlanta Braves

41. Jorge Alfaro, C, Texas Rangers

42. Tyler Glasnow, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates

43. Mike Foltynewicz, RHP, Houston Astros

44. Corey Seager, SS, Los Angeles Dodgers

45. Jorge Soler, RF, Chicago Cubs

46. Miguel Almonte, RHP, Kansas City Royals

47. Matt Wisler, RHP, San Diego Padres

48. Travis d’Arnaud, C, New York Mets

49. Billy Hamilton, CF, Cincinnati Reds

50. Joc Pederson, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers

51. Garin Cecchini, 3B, Boston Red Sox

52. Maikel Franco, 3B, Philadelphia Phillies

53. A.J. Cole, RHP, Washington Nationals

54. Kohl Stewart, RHP, Minnesota Twins

55. Max Fried, LHP, San Diego Padres

56. Josmil Pinto, C, Minnesota Twins

57. Jonathan Singleton, 1B, Houston Astros

58. Hunter Harvey, RHP, Baltimore Orioles

59. Reese McGuire, C, Pittsburgh Pirates

60. Eddie Rosario, 2B, Minnesota Twins

61. Eduardo Rodriguez, LHP, Baltimore Orioles

62. Braden Shipley, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks

63. Phillip Ervin, OF, Cincinnati Reds

64. Matt Barnes, RHP, Boston Red Sox

65. D.J. Peterson, 3B, Seattle Mariners

66. Stephen Piscotty, OF, St. Louis Cardinals

67. Erik Johnson, RHP, Chicago White Sox

68. James Paxton, LHP, Seattle Mariners

69. Henry Owens, LHP, Boston Red Sox

70. Chi Chi Gonzalez, RHP, Texas Rangers

71. Wilmer Flores, 2B/3B, New York Mets

72. Luis Sardinas, SS, Texas Rangers

73. Blake Swihart, C, Boston Red Sox

74. Colin Moran, 3B, Miami Marlins

75. Jose Berrios, RHP, Minnesota Twins

76. Alberto Tirado, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays

77. Josh Bell, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates

78. Sean Manaea, LHP, Kansas City Royals

79. Michael Choice, OF, Texas Rangers

80. Nick Kingham, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates

81. C.J. Edwards, RHP, Chicago Cubs

82. Jonathan Schoop, 2B, Baltimore Orioles

83. Arismendy Alcantara, 2B, Chicago Cubs

84. Zach Lee, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers

85. Gary Sanchez, C, New York Yankees

86. Brian Goodwin, OF, Washington Nationals

87. Christian Bethancourt, C, Atlanta Braves

88. Nick Williams, OF, Texas Rangers

89. Austin Meadows, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates

90. Enny Romero, LHP, Tampa Bay Rays

91. Pierce Johnson, RHP, Chicago Cubs

92. Jake Odorizzi, RHP, Tampa Bay Rays

93. Matt Davidson, 3B, Chicago White Sox

94. Jesse Biddle, LHP, Philadelphia Phillies

95. Joey Gallo, 3B, Texas Rangers

96. Hunter Dozier, SS, Kansas City Royals

97. Raimel Tapia, OF, Colorado Rockies

98. Alexander Reyes, RHP, St. Louis Cardinals

99. Jorge Bonifacio, OF, Kansas City Royals

100. David Dahl, OF, Colorado Rockies

101. Lewis Thorpe, LHP, Minnesota Twins

 

 

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=22670

[Laika]

Fantastic, flawless list.

[jays4life19]

Tirado at 76 is nice to see.

[P2F]

Finally, a list worth referencing.

 

I love seeing Paxton finally get respect.

[Angrioter]

Fantastic, flawless list.

 

18. Austin Hedges, C, San Diego Padres

41. Jorge Alfaro, C, Texas Rangers

 

 

49. Billy Hamilton, CF, Cincinnati Reds

50. Joc Pederson, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers

 

I could say "NOT".

[Grant77]

Lol @ the Sano, Taillon, Polanco, and Stroman rankings. I'm going to have a field day in the BBDL draft if anyone takes this seriously.

[Randy The Robot]

Lol @ the Sano, Taillon, Polanco, and Stroman rankings. I'm going to have a field day in the BBDL draft if anyone takes this seriously.

Because you know more than professional scouts, right?

[Laika]

Lol @ the Sano, Taillon, Polanco, and Stroman rankings. I'm going to have a field day in the BBDL draft if anyone takes this seriously.

 

Every day's a field day when you spend your life chasing butterflies!

[Dr. Dinger]

So I traded two Top 15 prospects for James Shields? That one may come back to bite me.

[Grant77]

Because you know more than professional scouts, right?

 

I didn't say anything about professional scouts, this guy makes ridiculous lists in his moms basement so he can point to the 2 or 3 he got right in later years. BA and Sickels will be in relatively close agreement with my list, usually are.

[Dr. Dinger]

Keep in mind that Jason Parks values defense very highly, and these are not fantasy rankings. As such, guys like

Lindor, Hedges, and Almora are rated higher than they would be for dynasty purposes.

[Dr. Dinger]

I didn't say anything about professional scouts, this guy makes ridiculous lists in his moms basement so he can point to the 2 or 3 he got right in later years. BA and Sickels will be in relatively close agreement with my list, usually are.

 

You clearly don't know s*** about Parks or BP. He has a vast network of team scouts and front office types that he talks to and runs his rankings by.

[Dr. Dinger]

Lol Sickels. Sickels is the one making a list based on his own observations. Parks is MUCH more well-connected.

[Randy The Robot]

I didn't say anything about professional scouts, this guy makes ridiculous lists in his moms basement so he can point to the 2 or 3 he got right in later years. BA and Sickels will be in relatively close agreement with my list, usually are.

This list is based off of information he's gotten from professional scouts(I'd assume). Besides, it looks a lot better than MLB.coms

[Olerud363]

Because you know more than professional scouts, right?

 

I have no idea if he thinks the Stroman ranking is to high or to low...

 

I mean what does he think?? That Stroman is being underrated by the scouts?? One could make that argument. Stroman's numbers are very similar to Syndegards. His stuff is good. He has a little more time at double a then Syndegard, and is only about 1 year older. So one could argue that the scouts are putting to much into Stroman's height. If Stroman was 6'4" he'd by a top 15 no question. And Grant77 as a learned man understands this better then the scouts.

 

On the other hand maybe Grant77's keen mind fully understands the challenges facing the short pitcher. Unlike the scout Grant77 knows that the short pitcher is a long shot, and Stroman deserves to be 75... maybe...

 

I just no idea what the dude thinks. His keen mind is better then the scouts. Understood. But in which direction??

 

Edit: This is why I hate these... lol... This list sucks. I know something the scouts don't. OK == Please enlighten us. What do you know that they don't??

[Laika]

Grant, are Zach Stewart and Hech still top 25 guys on your list?

[LunchBox]

Besides, it looks a lot better than MLB.coms

 

Many of the posters here s*** better lists than MLB.com.

[Olerud363]

Lol @ the Sano, Taillon, Polanco, and Stroman rankings. I'm going to have a field day in the BBDL draft if anyone takes this seriously.

 

It would be nice if you gave us your own scouting reports. Especially interested in where you have Stroman and Sano and why.

[Angrioter]

So I traded two Top 15 prospects for James Shields? That one may come back to bite me.

 

Are you Sandy Alderson and the other guy is AA?

[Grant77]

This list is based off of information he's gotten from professional scouts(I'd assume). Besides, it looks a lot better than MLB.coms

 

That's supposed to be a compliment? It really doesn't look better in some respects. He's got as many guys way off like Sano and Taillon as Mayo did with guys like Lindor.

[The Cats Ass]

You clearly don't know s*** about Parks or BP. He has a vast network of team scouts and front office types that he talks to and runs his rankings by.

 

But does Parks listen to the radio...

[Angrioter]

(1) Marcus Stroman (RHP)

 

DOB: 05/01/1991

Height/Weight: 5’9” 185 lbs

Bats/Throws: R/R

Acquired: 1st round, 2012 draft, Duke University (Durham, NC)

Previous Ranking: #8 (Org)

 

2013 Stats: 3.30 ERA (111.2 IP, 99 H, 129 K, 27 BB) at Double-A New Hampshire

The Tools: 7 FB; 7 CT; 7 potential SL; 6 potential CH

 

What Happened in 2013: Stroman made 20 starts at the Double-A level, showing bat-missing ability and sharp command, doing everything in his power to convince the doubters that he can be a starting pitcher.

 

Strengths: Strong and athletic; generates power in his delivery with lower half; impressive arm strength; fastball works low/mid-90s; can sit mid-90s in bursts; slider is true wipeout pitch; easy 7 grade; mid-80s with sharp tilt; changeup flashes plus; projects to play at that grade; excellent action and deception from fastball; shows plus-plus cutter in the 91-93 range; nasty and late glove-side slice; plus command profile; big-time competitor.

 

Weaknesses: Short; has to work down to create plane; fastball can arrive flat/lack movement; if he works up, becomes hittable; changeup can get too firm/overthrown.

 

Overall Future Potential: High 6; no. 2 starter

 

Realistic Role: 6; elite late-innings reliever (closer)

 

Risk Factor/Injury History: Low risk; ready for major leagues

 

Bret Sayre’s Fantasy Take: Stroman is that perfect combination of high fantasy potential in the rotation and a high fantasy floor in the bullpen. As a starter, he can rack up the strikeouts with multiple pitches and has the control/command to have a very strong WHIP—though his ERA may lag behind due to potential troubles with the long ball. As a reliever, he could be one of the top fantasy closers in baseball, but like any relief prospect, just because he’s awesome doesn't mean he’ll get saves when you want him to.

 

The Year Ahead: Stroman might be even shorter than his listed height (5’9’’), and normally I would be the first person to put him into the reliever box—especially given the fact that he could be an elite closer in that role. But I think Stroman is a starter all the way, with more than enough strength and athleticism for the workload and a deep arsenal that he can command. He’s atypical and unorthodox, but Stroman is going to be an impact starter at the major-league level. The stuff is well above average, the delivery and arm work very well and should be able to handle a starter’s workload, and the aggressiveness and poise fit the mold of a frontline starter just as much as it does a late-innings arm. If you focus too much on the height you are going to miss the realities of the overall profile. This is a starting pitcher.

 

Major league ETA: 2014

 

 

---

 

(2) Aaron Sanchez (RHP)

 

DOB: 07/01/1992

Height/Weight: 6’4” 190 lbs

Bats/Throws: R/R

Acquired: 1st round, 2010 draft, Barstow HS (Barstow, CA)

Previous Ranking: #3 (Org), #32 (Top 101)

 

2013 Stats: 3.34 ERA (86.1 IP, 63 H, 75 K, 40 BB) at High-A Dunedin

The Tools: 7 FB; 6+ potential CB; 6 potential CH

 

What Happened in 2013: Top-shelf stuff, but a frustrating year that included some minor injury setbacks and on-the-field performances that failed to match the hype.

 

Strengths: Elite arm action; ball explodes out of his; fastball routinely works in the mid-90s; heavy life; hard curveball in the low 80s shows plus potential; changeup flashes plus; late arm-side action; frontline stuff.

 

Weaknesses: Below-average command; can get stiff and upright in the delivery; can struggle to stay over the ball; loses movement and flattens out; curveball can lack snap/get slurvy; changeup too firm; some sources question the passivity in his approach; pitchability needs work.

 

Overall Future Potential: 7; no. 2 starter

 

Realistic Role: 6; no. 3 starter

 

Risk Factor/Injury History: Moderate risk; yet to pitch at Double-A level; some minor injury concerns.

 

Bret Sayre’s Fantasy Take: Sanchez has the higher fantasy upside as a starting pitcher, but he’s unlikely to take enough of a step forward with his control to be a strong contributor in WHIP—making him likely a three-category guy at peak. His ability to keep the ball on the ground (58 percent groundball rate during the past two seasons) may help neutralize some of the Rogers Centre’s home run-inducing tendencies.

 

The Year Ahead: Sanchez has some of the best arm action you will see, a lightning fast arm that allows the ball to just explode out of his hand. His mechanics can get out of whack, and he struggles to stay over the ball and finish his pitches. This causes his fastball to elevate and lose life, and his power curveball to get too slurvy and lose its bite. If you are optimistic about his command and refinement of the secondary stuff, Sanchez is a legit frontline no. 2 starter, but there is still a sizeable gap between the present and future.

 

Major league ETA: 2015

 

 

---

 

(3) Alberto Tirado (RHP)

 

DOB: 12/10/1994

Height/Weight: 6’1” 177 lbs

Bats/Throws: R/R

Acquired: International free agent, 2011, Dominican Republic

Previous Ranking: #10 (Org)

 

2013 Stats: 1.68 ERA (48.1 IP, 41 H, 44 K, 20 BB) at rookie level Bluefield

The Tools: 7 potential FB; 6+ potential CH; 6 potential SL

 

What Happened in 2013: Another start in extended spring training and another pass through the Appalachian League, Tirado proved to be ready for a bigger challenge in his 48 innings of short-season work.

 

Strengths: Loose, easy arm; good release; fastball is plus offering; works 91-95; good arm-side life; changeup is advanced for age; good fastball disguise and late action; slider also looks like future plus offering; 82-84 with sharp tilt; more to project in the body.

 

Weaknesses: Inconsistent mechanics; arm is whippy and release points vary; command is below average (present); slider is behind changeup; can saucer the pitch; body is underdeveloped/immature; needs to add strength.

 

Overall Future Potential: High 6; no. 2 starter

 

Realistic Role: 5; no. 3/4 starter

 

Risk Factor/Injury History: High risk; short-season resume

 

Bret Sayre’s Fantasy Take: There may not be a more interesting pitching prospect for fantasy purposes who hasn't yet reached full-season ball than Tirado. He could be a lot of things at this point, but if you judge it off his raw stuff, the fantasy potential is there across the board. If you can get in on the ground floor now, he’s a candidate to see a huge spike in dynasty league value during the 2014 season.

 

The Year Ahead: Tirado is a beast in the making, with three pitches that could end as plus offerings. The delivery is inconsistent at present, and the body needs to add strength to hold stuff and log innings. Despite the iffy command at present, Tirado shows pitchability and aptitude, and with a slow and steady approach, has a good chance to develop into a top tier prospect in the coming years. His stock is going to soar when he shoves in full-season ball, and when the command starts to refine, look out. This is an impact prospect that could develop into an impact major-league starter.

 

Major league ETA: 2017

[The Cats Ass]

That's supposed to be a compliment? It really doesn't look better in some respects. He's got as many guys way off like Sano and Taillon as Mayo did with guys like Lindor.

 

I wouldn't say way off. Some people like different players in different spots. I don't think I'd put Taillon above many of the other pitching prospects on that list, so I'd say he's in the right spot. And Sano has questions about his strikeouts and he's gonna end up at 1B too.

[Dr. Dinger]

I'd take Giolito and Gray over Taillon all day. Ventura is iffy, but people underrate him. He has knockout stuff.

[Grant77]

Are you Sandy Alderson and the other guy is AA?

 

It would be nice if you gave us your own scouting reports. Especially interested in where you have Stroman and Sano and why.

 

Sano has the best power stroke in the minor leagues, once in a decade type stuff. He's improved enough to erase any questions about him remaining at third. He walks a ton and for starting at AA at age 20, the K's really aren't that concerning. I know there's an injury concern, but he's 3-4 years ahead of the normal development curve. Not to overstate things, but we're talking a guy who could legitimately put up Eddie Mathews type numbers and he's behind a guy who a lot of scouts think will end up as a reliever (Ventura). That's absurd.

[The Cats Ass]

Sano has the best power stroke in the minor leagues, once in a decade type stuff. He's improved enough to erase any questions about him remaining at third. He walks a ton and for starting at AA at age 20, the K's really aren't that concerning. I know there's an injury concern, but he's 3-4 years ahead of the normal development curve. Not to overstate things, but we're talking a guy who could legitimately put up Eddie Mathews type numbers and he's behind a guy who a lot of scouts think will end up as a reliever (Ventura). That's absurd.

 

He was terriable at third. He improved. He's now in Edwin Encarnacion territory. He's still bad, but just less bad then before.

[Grant77]

I've made my thoughts clear on Stroman. Numerous small starters have come and gone in the top 50 of prospect lists and Tom Phoebus and Tom Gordon remain the only ones as small as Stroman to have any success. I think big league hitters will be about to square up his stuff and hit for power, especially after a turn or two through the batting order. He needs to develop more downward movement and improve his command or else he remains in the 50-60 range on my list.

[KingKat]

He was terriable at third. He improved. He's now in Edwin Encarnacion territory. He's still bad, but just less bad then before.

 

Sano has less real life value than potential fantasy value. Complaining that the rankings are dumb because they don't match your fantasy cheat sheet makes no sense whent that isn't the purpose of the list in the first place. Using that difference to posture about your intelectual superiority to someone like Jason Parks makes even less sense.

[Angrioter]

Sano has the best power stroke in the minor leagues, once in a decade type stuff. He's improved enough to erase any questions about him remaining at third. He walks a ton and for starting at AA at age 20, the K's really aren't that concerning. I know there's an injury concern, but he's 3-4 years ahead of the normal development curve. Not to overstate things, but we're talking a guy who could legitimately put up Eddie Mathews type numbers and he's behind a guy who a lot of scouts think will end up as a reliever (Ventura). That's absurd.

 

He was terriable at third. He improved. He's now in Edwin Encarnacion territory. He's still bad, but just less bad then before.

 

I know the guy very well. As soon signed with the Twins him bought a house near where I live.

 

I saw him play before signing, I saw him play at DWL and I see him practice often. Sano will not be an 3B long-term

[KingKat]

I've made my thoughts clear on Stroman.

 

You're not so important that everyone remembers what you write. Saying that this list is wrong without further explanation because you assume that everyone will instantly recall which prospects you think are overrated and underrated and why is pretty douchy.