Official MiLB/Prospects Thread

[BlueRocky]

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/predicting-the-2020-futures-game-american-league-rosters/

 

They’re predicting Alejandro Kirk and Simeon Woods-Richardson to make this year’s MLB Futures Game

Predicting The 2020 Futures Game American League Rosters

 

By Josh Norris

on March 10, 2020

 

The Futures Game is just about four months away, but we here at Baseball America are already counting down the days. This year's version will be played on Sunday, July 12 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. Last year's version was a departure from previous years because it pitted American League prospects against their National League counterparts instead of the typical United States vs. World format the game had normally followed. The game was also shortened from nine innings to seven (though the teams forced an eighth inning anyway).

 

No matter the format, the order of the day is prospects, prospects and more prospects. So, just as we did last year, we're going to take a very early crack at guessing what the rosters will look like come summertime. Some of the more obvious names are left off of this list—Angels top prospect Jo Adell is absent, for instance—for one of two reasons. In Adell's case, we assume he'll already be in Los Angeles ... wearing an Angels uniform.

 

So sit back, relax and take a look at the players we think will introduce themselves to the world on the biggest stage the minor leagues has to offer. Today, we're looking at the American League. For the National League, check back tomorrow.

 

 

POSITION PLAYERS

 

C — Alejandro Kirk, Blue Jays

 

One of the biggest risers from last season, Kirk showed an innate ability to make contact while managing the strike zone. He was one of the toughest hitters to strike out—he swung and missed just 5.3 percent of the time—and led the Blue Jays’ organization with 31 doubles in 310 at-bats. He was rock solid behind the plate, too, allowing just six passed balls in 693 innings.

 

C — Adley Rutschman, Orioles

 

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 draft took a little while to get going after contracting mononucleosis after being selected. Once he got going, however, he showed evaluators exactly why he was so highly lauded. Rutschman has immense skills on both sides of the ball and has a chance to become the face of the Orioles’ franchise the moment he reaches the big leagues. If all goes well, this might be Rutschman’s only chance to play in a Futures Game.

 

1B — Andrew Vaughn, White Sox

 

The White Sox took Vaughn with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2019 draft based on the strength of his ability to hit and hit for power. He moved to high Class A Winston-Salem in his first season as a pro and showed hints of his potential despite the longest season of his career. With an offseason to recover, Vaughn should show the totality of his gifts in his first full season, which should see him finish in the upper levels of the minor leagues.

 

2B/SS — Brayan Rocchio, Indians

 

The Indians are loaded with young position players, and Rocchio is among the best of the bunch. The 18-year-old tore up the Rookie-level Arizona League before moving to the typically college-heavy New York-Penn League and holding his own against much older competition. He has the potential for three above-average or better tools (hitting, speed and defense) and could move to the head of Cleveland’s pack of prospects with a strong first test at full-season ball.

 

3B — Josh Jung, Rangers

 

The Rangers first-round choice a year ago, Jung has already established himself as one of the game’s best third base prospects. He already holds the top spot in Texas’ system and projects as a plus hitter with average power who can stick at the hot corner. After a full season at Texas Tech, Jung finished his first pro season at low Class A Hickory and could make his way to Double-A Frisco with a strong 2020 season.

 

SS — Wander Franco, Rays

 

Franco is the No. 1 prospect in the game. He plays with a skill set beyond his years and showed it all throughout his 2019 season, when he wowed evaluators at both levels of Class A ball. He finished the year with more walks (56) than strikeouts (35) and put together a .327/.398/.487 line while playing the entire season as an 18-year-old. There’s a great chance he makes his big league debut before he turns 20 (March 1, 2021).

 

SS — Jeter Downs, Red Sox

 

The prize in the blockbuster offseason trade that sent Mookie Betts and David Price to Los Angeles might not be a long-term shortstop, but his bat will make him plenty valuable even if he has to slide over to second base. He boasts a bat that can catch up to premium velocity and gives him projection as an average hitter with above-average power if he refines his approach somewhat to become more aggressive on pitches he can drive.

 

SS — Bobby Witt, Jr., Royals

 

The No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 draft, Witt put together a fine first season in the Rookie-level Arizona League. Every one of his five tools has the potential to be at least above-average, including a double-plus glove that pairs with a plus arm at shortstop. Combine those skills with plus power and he has a chance to be the face of Kansas City’s rebuild.

 

OF — Brandon Marsh, Angels

 

Marsh’s career has been stymied somewhat by injuries, but when healthy he shows the tools to be a threat at the plate and in the field. He owns a powerful, whippy bat that can shoot balls from gap to gap and over the fence, as well as the range to stick in center field. Marsh and system-mate Jo Adell have the tools and makeup to become mainstays in the Angels’ outfield. Now, if only there were a third player to complete the trifecta.

 

OF — Julio Rodriguez, Mariners

 

While the big club languished at the bottom of the standings in 2019, the Mariners’ farm system provided hope for the future. Rodriguez, one of the latest in the line of teenage prodigies speeding their way to the big leagues, established himself as one of the organization’s twin peaks. He’s a potential double-plus hitter with double-plus power and used those tremendous gifts to tear up both Class A levels as an 18-year-old.

 

OF — Jarred Kelenic, Mariners

 

In most other systems, Kelenic would stand as the No. 1 prospect. He’s neck and neck with Julio Rodriguez for that honor in the Seattle system, however, and has the tools and makeup to endear himself to Mariners fans in short order. Kelenic is as pure a hitter as you’ll find in the minor leagues and has an intensity that is rarely found in someone his age. He burst all the way to Double-A in his first full season and could see Seattle in short order.

 

OF — Gilberto Jimenez, Red Sox

 

One of the bigger sleeper prospects on this list, Jimenez has a chance to open some eyes with a big 2020. The tightly wound outfielder was excellent in the New York-Penn League, where his speed and defense stood out. He’s a switch-hitter (he learned to do so after turning pro) with a slash-and-burn skill set that could play at the top or bottom of a lineup and will likely make his full-season debut in 2020.

 

OF — Alex Kirilloff, Twins

 

Kirilloff’s season was stunted by a pair of wrist injuries that limited him to just 94 games. When he was on the field, he showed the same quick, strong hands and wrists that produced line drives by the bushel in this boffo 2019 season. With a full offseason to recover, Kirilloff will look for a reset in 2020 that could lead to him quickly dropping bombas with the squad up north.

 

OF — Riley Greene, Tigers

 

With a massive haul of pitchers already at the front lines of their rebuilt system, the Tigers opted for a premium position player with their 2019 first-rounder. In Greene, Detroit got a player with an advanced hit tool and the potential to produce above-average power as well. He showed enough skill to move all the way to low Class A West Michigan in his pro debut, which is an outstanding feat for a prep player.

 

 

 

PITCHERS

 

Luis Garcia, Astros


 

Though the Astros system has thinned somewhat, it still boasts intriguing players like Garcia. The righthander saw a huge velo bump from 2018 to 2019 and also showed scouts a potentially plus changeup and a pair of average breaking balls. That mix allowed Garcia to strike out better than 12 hitters per nine innings at each of his two Class A stops.

 

Tyler Baum, A’s

 

The A’s second-rounder out of North Carolina was excellent in his pro debut, which was spent entirely at short-season Vermont in the New York-Penn League. The righthander showed a fastball up to 97 mph as well as a powerful, slurvy breaking ball. He still needs to develop his changeup, but his first taste of pro ball showed that he has the ingredients to move up the ranks in Oakland’s farm system.

 

Simeon Woods Richardson, Blue Jays

 

Woods Richardson was one of two prospects the Blue Jays received from the Mets in the Marcus Stroman trade, and so far he’s shown exceptional control of a high-impact pitch mix. Because of his large, sturdy frame, four-pitch mix and potentially double-plus control, Woods Richardson should have little problem remaining a starter. He should reach Double-A as a 19-year-old, which would likely make him among the league’s youngest pitchers.

 

Ethan Hankins, Indians


 

Hankins falling to the final pick of the first round was a pleasant surprise for the Indians in 2018, when they were happy to pluck a pitcher who had ranked among the best prep talents available before a minor shoulder injury clouded his stock. Now healthy, Hankins whiffed 71 hitters over 60 innings in 2019 between short-season Mahoning Valley and low Class A Lake County. He uses an arsenal with three average or better pitches, including a plus fastball that has touched 97 mph.

 

Grayson Rodriguez, Orioles

 

Rodriguez was one of the most impressive pitchers in the minor leagues in 2019 and could be in line for a return trip to the Futures Game if he can pull off an encore. He tops an outstanding arsenal with a potentially double-plus fastball (the pitch sat between 93-96 in 2019) with a trio of offspeed pitches that each project as above-average or better. After a full season in low Class A, he’ll move up a level and could get a chance to pitch to system-mate Adley Rutschman on all-star Sunday in Los Angeles.

 

Shane McClanahan, Rays


 

McClanahan has one of the most outstanding arsenals in a stacked Rays system. The South Florida product couples a nasty fastball that has touched triple-digits with a potentially plus curveball as well as a slider and changeup that could reach average. He’s an extraordinarily confident pitcher, which is easily warranted considering he’s struck out better than 10 hitters per nine innings at each of his five stops in the minors.

 

Daniel Lynch, Royals

 

Lynch’s season was halved by an arm injury, but he came back in the Arizona Fall League and appeared no worse for wear. The lefthander brought his fastball up to 99 mph in the league’s annual Fall Stars Game and struck out 19 against four walks in his 14 regular-season innings for Surprise. Lynch is part of a cavalcade of college arms that should lead the Royals into their next competitive era.

 

Tarik Skubal, Tigers


 

Without question, Skubal was the minor leagues’ fastest rising pitcher in 2019. The 2018 ninth-rounder blitzed high Class A Lakeland then turned it up a notch when he got to Double-A Erie. He obliterated the Eastern League with nearly unprecedented ferocity. Consider this: He struck out more than 17 hitters per nine innings … as a starter. The only way he doesn’t land a bid in the Futures Game is if he’s already found a spot in Detroit.

 

Jordan Balazovic, Twins


 

Balazovic was already on the Twins’ radar entering the year. It didn’t take long for him to make the rest of the world aware, too. The Canadian righthander made quick work of low Class A Cedar Rapids before moving to high Class A Fort Myers and picking up right where he left off. Balazovic was part of the Futures Game a year ago, and he’s got enough talent to make it two years in a row in 2020.

 

Luis Gil, Yankees

 

As usual, the Yankees’ system is stocked with highly intriguing righthanders. Gil was at the forefront of a pack of those arms at low Class A Charleston. He was a lottery ticket received in a trade and has slowly started to blossom into exactly the type of pitcher the Yankees wanted. There’s plenty of work to do, but he’s already got the projectable frame and easy velocity that typically form the building blocks of a premium starting pitching prospect.

[Todd]

I have seen the fangraph top 38 prospects and at least six of them are to old to be

on it. and some who should be on it. If not have say 70 solid top prospects.

[Ray]

I haven't seen a ton of Hatch but he looked really good to me against MLB caliber LHBs. I really, really did not expect to see 96 on the black and then a change up in the same tunnel to Reynolds/Josh Bell caliber hitters. I mean, right in the center of the glove on consecutive pitches.

 

Getting a guy that can do that even in a small sample of 2 f***ing pitches is larceny for David Phelps.

 

He was hitting 96 deep into some AA games last season too.

 

#9 in our system is aggressive, but he's definitely one of the more intriguing arms if the changes are legit.

[max silver]

I have seen the fangraph top 38 prospects and at least six of them are to old to be

on it. and some who should be on it. If not have say 70 solid top prospects.

 

Why should guys be removed based on age? Sure that diminishes their likely future value if they are already in the middle of their physical prime before reaching MLB, but it's not like everybody develops at the same rate. Injuries delay some guys hitting peak performance, some guys are simply late bloomers (see Josh Donaldson, Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion). Taking guys off prospect lists simply because they are a little older seems pretty pointless.

[Todd]

Those so called late bloomers are taking away from younger guys with more up side.

Guys like Josh Winckowski and Maximo Castillo. To name a few.

[max silver]

Those so called late bloomers are taking away from younger guys with more up side.

Guys like Josh Winckowski and Maximo Castillo. To name a few.

 

What does an older player like Julian Merryweather appearing on a prospect list have to do with guys like Winckowski and Castillo getting opportunities? Are you suggesting that baseball organizations give out opportunities based on whether or not players appear on top whatever prospect lists?

[Todd]

what i'm saying is why is some guy coming off tommy john on a top prospects list at 28.

When other guys younger and improving every year and getting good numbers not on it.

And other guys on it getting s***** number or not improving still on it. A real prospects list

should be players just draft , signed as a free agent international though good trades. 24 and

under.

[Jimcanuck]

what i'm saying is why is some guy coming off tommy john on a top prospects list at 28.

When other guys younger and improving every year and getting good numbers not on it.

And other guys on it getting s***** number or not improving still on it. A real prospects list

should be players just draft , signed as a free agent international though good trades. 24 and

under.

 

Totally agree. Not a new concept. Prospect lists alreadt take this into account. But reminders of prospects 101 principles always welcome.

[max silver]

what i'm saying is why is some guy coming off tommy john on a top prospects list at 28.

When other guys younger and improving every year and getting good numbers not on it.

And other guys on it getting s***** number or not improving still on it. A real prospects list

should be players just draft , signed as a free agent international though good trades. 24 and

under.

 

Some interesting Jays prospects don't fall under your cutoff age of 24. Should we just pretend pitchers like Anthony Kay, Thomas Hatch, and Julian Merryweather don't exist? Is a prospect not a prospective player who has yet to make it to the top level of his sport? Simply being over some random age cutoff doesn't somehow mean the player doesn't qualify as someone who may eventually make it to MLB and contribute.

[Deadpool]

what i'm saying is why is some guy coming off tommy john on a top prospects list at 28.

When other guys younger and improving every year and getting good numbers not on it.

And other guys on it getting s***** number or not improving still on it. A real prospects list

should be players just draft , signed as a free agent international though good trades. 24 and

under.

 

Yeah, those young, not as good guys are really being robbed of the opportunity of... uhhh... being on a list.

[BlueRocky]

 

 

The recent ATL podcast with Pearson interview was very interesting.

[Ray]

SEC suspended its baseball season.

[Jimcanuck]

BA released updated draft top 300 today. Below is top 20. Gonzales at #5. That would be awesome.

 

 

1

Last: 3

Austin Martin

VanderbiltOF

MORE

2

Last: 1

Spencer Torkelson

Arizona State1B

MORE

VIDEO

3

Last: 4

Asa Lacy

Texas A&MLHP

MORE

VIDEO

4

Last: 2

Emerson Hancock

GeorgiaRHP

MORE

VIDEO

5 –

Last: 5

Nick Gonzales

New Mexico StateSS

MORE

VIDEO

6

Last: 8

Garrett Mitchell

UCLAOF

MORE

7

Last: 11

Reid Detmers

LouisvilleLHP

MORE

VIDEO

8

Last: 16

Zac Veen

Spruce Creek HS, Port Orange, Fla.OF

MORE

VIDEO

9

Last: 7

Austin Hendrick

West Allegheny HS, Imperial, Pa.OF

MORE

VIDEO

10

Last: 30

Max Meyer

MinnesotaRHP

MORE

VIDEO

 

11

Last: 6

Jared Kelley

Refugio (Texas) HSRHP

MORE

VIDEO

12

Last: 9

Mick Abel

Jesuit HS, PortlandRHP

MORE

VIDEO

13

Last: 15

Garrett Crochet

TennesseeLHP

MORE

VIDEO

14

Last: 17

Patrick Bailey

North Carolina StateC

MORE

VIDEO

15

Last: 25

Heston Kjerstad

ArkansasOF

MORE

VIDEO

16

Last: 18

Robert Hassell

Independence HS, Thompson's Station, Tenn.OF

MORE

VIDEO

17

Last: 24

Pete Crow-Armstrong

Harvard-Westlake HS, Studio City, Calif.OF

MORE

VIDEO

18

Last: 19

Tanner Burns

AuburnRHP

MORE

VIDEO

19

Last: 21

Nick Bitsko

Central Bucks East HS, Doylestown, Pa.RHP

MORE

VIDEO

20 –

Last: 20

Austin Wells

ArizonaC

MORE

[Brownie19]

Yeah I'd definitely prefer to add another positional player than another arm.

[BlueRocky]

Yeah I'd definitely prefer to add another positional player than another arm.

That's perfectly reasonable. Given equally talented players I'd also take the best position player available.

I've love to take any of Austin Martin, Spencer Torkelson, or Nick Gonzales. And I've had my eye on Zac Veen & Austin Hendrick for awhile. Even lower down on the list there are guys like Heston Kjerstad, Robert Hassell, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and some guys very high on Garrett Mitchell.

 

If we were drafting our usual position (#11-12) I would've loved any of these guys. Out of the tier 1 guys my favourite would be Austin Martin, but you really can't go wrong with Torkelson or Gonzales, both are really special hitters. Nick Gonzales is probably the most realistic due to being in a lower conference where teams still wondering if his power is legit (despite being cape-cod MVP) while playing in altitude. He's also a second baseman (though he played SS this short season) which dings his value slightly compared to Martin which has played everything from 3B to CF.

 

Out of the tier 2 guys it would be Zac Veen, I highly doubt he would drop outside the top 10 though. Hassell would probably be realistic, and I like him the same reasons I liked Corbin Caroll last year. Similar type of bat with a larger frame, perhaps more offensive value and less defensive ceiling. Kjerstad is like kinda like Trevor Larnarch or a Nolan Gorman type bat, advanced plate approach and lots of power. And some guys really love PCA, which was seen as the top prep-bat in the class not too long ago until his stock fell (His stock has climbed back up a bit recently).

 

The pitching talent in the 2020 MLB draft is historically good though, especially the college side.

 

Just in the first twenty-ish picks:

We have guys with frontline starter ceilings with solid resumes like Emerson Hancock and Asa Lacy.

We have guys with jaw-dropping stuff, but question marks due to limited track record or health issues with Max Meyer, Garrett Crochet, Carmen Mlodzinski & JT Ginn.

High upside prep arms like Jared Kelley & Mick Abel.

I haven't even mentioned Reid Detmers, very polished pitcher and best strike-thrower in the class with a nasty curveball and low-90s two-seam from the left side.

 

14 of BA's top 30 draft prospects are pitchers, and we might have a chance to nab either the best RHP or LHP available in the draft, and we don't get that chance often.

[jays4life19]

BA positional rankings - LHP

 

______

 

 

Here are the top lefthanded pitching prospects for 2020.

 

Best Fastball: Brailyn Marquez, Cubs. Unsurprisingly, there are plenty of excellent fastballs among this group. A.J. Puk, Jesus Luzardo, Tarik Skubal and Daniel Lynch each can light up a radar gun. Nobody, however, can do so quite as often as Marquez. He is the only southpaw who earns an 80-grade for his heater, which regularly touches triple-digits every time he takes the mound. He averaged 97 mph with his fastball in 2019.

 

Best Changeup: Jesus Luzardo, Athletics. Luzardo made his big league debut in 2019 and boasts one of the most explosive arsenals in the position group. His double-plus changeup is the best among minor league lefthanders and helped him strike out 73 hitters in 55 innings between the majors and minors. The mid-80s pitch is effective against both lefties and righties.

 

Best Breaking Ball: A.J. Puk, Athletics. Puk earns double-plus grades for his slider, which was his signature pitch in college and helped him strike out 13 hitters in 11.1 innings in his big league debut after recovering from Tommy John surgery. The pitch is effective against both righthanders and lefthanders and, when grouped with his upper-90s fastball and average changeup, should help him become a key part of Oakland's rotation in 2020.

 

Sleeper: Kris Bubic, Royals. Bubic might not have the same knockout stuff as the players in the Top 20, but he gets plenty of results. The Stanford alum tore through both Class A levels in his first full pro season and struck out 185 hitters in 149.1 innings along the way. That figure topped the minor leagues in strikeouts and set him up nicely for his big league spring training in 2020.

 

MacKenzie Gore, Padres

Jesus Luzardo, Athletics

Brendan McKay, Rays

A.J. Puk, Athletics

Tarik Skubal, Tigers

Brailyn Marquez, Cubs

Daniel Lynch, Royals

Matthew Liberatore, Cardinals

D.L. Hall, Orioles

Nick Lodolo, Reds

Shane McClanahan, Rays

Adrian Morejon, Padres

Justus Sheffield, Mariners

Kyle Muller, Braves

Ryan Rolison, Rockies

Tucker Davidson, Braves

Genesis Cabrera, Cardinals

Seth Corry, Giants

Ryan Weathers, Padres

Zack Thompson, Cardinals

[jays4life19]

Best Fastball: Nate Pearson, RHP, Blue Jays. Even among a star-studded group, Pearson is a fairly easy choice. The hulking fireballer has topped out at 104 mph with his heater and touched triple-digits multiple times during the 2019 Futures Game in Cleveland. After some innings-management in 2019, this season will be huge for Pearson. He should be unleashed and full bore in a year that should see him make his big league debut and form another piece of an enviable core in Toronto that also includes Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette.

 

Best Breaking Ball: Shane Baz, RHP, Rays. The "third piece" in the trade that also brought Austin Meadows and Tyler Glasnow to Tampa Bay, Baz spent his first full pro season carving hitters with a powerful combination of fastball and slider. The pitch, which projects as a double-plus offering, shows two-plane break and helped Baz whiff 87 hitters in 81 innings at low Class A Bowling Green. He was impressive in the Arizona Fall League as well.

 

Best Changeup: Tony Gonsolin, RHP, Dodgers. the team's ninth-rounder in 2016, made his major league debut in 2019 on the strength of a four-pitch arsenal led by a 70-grade changeup. The pitch, thrown in the mid-80s, features split-type action down in the zone to get swings and misses.

 

Sleeper: Luis Medina, RHP, Yankees. The Yankees system is stocked with power-armed righthanders, but Medina unquestionably has the group's best stuff. He has gone through severe struggles with control and command but seemed to find something toward the end of the season with low Class A Charleston and high Class A Tampa. If he can continue on that path, he'll vault up prospect lists all season long.

 

Nate Pearson, Blue Jays

Casey Mize, Tigers

Sixto Sanchez, Marlins

Matt Manning, Tigers

Luis Patino, Padres

Dustin May, Dodgers

Forrest Whitley, Astros

Spencer Howard, Phillies

Michael Kopech, White Sox

Grayson Rodriguez, Orioles

Ian Anderson, Braves

Mitch Keller, Pirates

Logan Gilbert, Mariners

Brusdar Graterol, Red Sox

Simeon Woods Richardson, Blue Jays

Clarke Schmidt, Yankees

Kyle Wright, Braves

Deivi Garcia, Yankees

Edward Cabrera, Marlins

Shane Baz, Rays

Hunter Greene, Reds

Jackson Kowar, Royals

Brent Honeywell, Rays

Tony Gonsolin, Dodgers

Josiah Gray, Dodgers

Jordan Balazovic, Twins

Jhoan Duran, Twins

Joe Ryan, Rayas

Bryse Wilson, Braves

Bryan Mata, Red Sox

Brady Singer, Royals

Jackson Rutledge, Nationals

Alek Manoah, Blue Jays

Ryan Helsley, Cardinals

Andres Munoz, Padres

George Kirby, Mariners

Hans Crouse, Rangers

Daulton Jefferies, Athletics

Justin Dunn, Mariners

Adam Kloffenstein, Blue Jays

[jays4life19]

Best Bat: Adley Rutschman. The reigning No. 1 overall combines an elite approach, a consistent swing path from both sides of the plate and plus power to project as a middle-of-the-order, offensive force.

 

Best Glove: Sean Murphy. Murphy's superb receiving, blocking and game-calling skills quickly ingratiated him to A's pitchers last year, and his rocket arm makes opponents think twice before attempting to run on him.

 

Best Sleeper: Blake Hunt. The Padres prospect rarely chases out of the strike zone and frequently hits the ball hard, a promising offensive foundation to go with his potential above-average defense and plus arm strength.

 

1. Adley Rutschman, Orioles | Scouting Report

2. Joey Bart, Giants | Scouting Report

3. Sean Murphy, Athletics | Scouting Report

4. Daulton Varsho, D-backs | Scouting Report

5. Francisco Alvarez, Mets | Scouting Report

6. Luis Campusano, Padres | Scouting Report

7. Keibert Ruiz, Dodgers | Scouting Report

8. Diego Cartaya, Dodgers | Scouting Report

9. Sam Huff, Rangers | Scouting Report

10. Shea Langeliers, Braves | Scouting Report

11. Alejandro Kirk, Blue Jays | Scouting Report

12. Miguel Amaya, Cubs | Scouting Report

13. Ronaldo Hernandez, Rays | Scouting Report

14. William Contreras, Braves | Scouting Report

15. Bo Naylor, Indians | Scouting Report

16. Ivan Herrera, Cardinals | Scouting Report

17. Tyler Stephenson, Reds | Scouting Report

18. Gabriel Moreno, Blue Jays | Scouting Report

19. Andrew Knizner, Cardinals | Scouting Report

20. Cal Raleigh, Mariners | Scouting Report

[jays4life19]

Here are the top shortstop prospects for 2020.

 

Best Bat: There are plenty of talented hitters in this group, but Rays SS Wander Franco is in his own tier. Despite being 18, Franco has a preternatural feel for the barrel, with a fast, efficient swing from both sides of the plate, outstanding plate coverage and the ability to square up all types of pitches. His high baseball IQ shows in the batter’s box, and the all-around offensive package is enough for scouts to put future 70 to 80 grades on his pure hitting potential.

 

Best Glove: D-backs SS Geraldo Perdomo is a bouncy athlete at shortstop, where he has a quick first step and plus range. He can make the acrobatic plays, but unlike a lot of flashy young shortstops, he doesn’t make too many mistakes, and he can finish plays with a strong, accurate arm.

 

Sleeper: Arrows are pointing up on Rangers SS Luisangel Acuña, the younger brother of Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña. Luisangel has a smaller, compact frame, but he swings hard, makes a lot of contact and has a good eye for the strike zone, making him one of the top prospects to watch coming out of the Dominican Summer League.

 

1. Wander Franco, Rays | Scouting Report

2. Gavin Lux, Dodgers | Scouting Report

3. Carter Kieboom, Nationals | Scouting Report

4. Marco Luciano, Giants | Scouting Report

5. CJ Abrams, Padres | Scouting Report

6. Bobby Witt Jr., Royals | Scouting Report

7. Royce Lewis, Twins | Scouting Report

8. Jordan Groshans, Blue Jays | Scouting Report

9. Nico Hoerner, Cubs | Scouting Report

10. Oneil Cruz, Pirates | Scouting Report

11. Ronny Mauricio, Mets | Scouting Report

12. Tyler Freeman, Indians | Scouting Report

13. Geraldo Perdomo, D-backs | Scouting Report

14. Jeter Downs, Dodgers | Scouting Report

15. Jazz Chisholm, Marlins | Scouting Report

16. Luis Garcia, Nationals | Scouting Report

17. Noelvi Marte, Mariners | Scouting Report

18. Orelvis Martinez, Blue Jays | Scouting Report

19. Bryson Stott, Phillies | Scouting Report

20. Brice Turang, Brewers | Scouting Report

21. Gabriel Arias, Padres | Scouting Report

22. Andres Gimenez, Mets | Scouting Report

23. Liover Peguero, Pirates | Scouting Report

24. Jeremiah Jackson, Angels | Scouting Report

25. Maximo Acosta, Rangers | Scouting Report

26. Brayan Rocchio, Indians | Scouting Report

27. Jeremy Pena, Astros | Scouting Report

28. Ryan Vilade, Rockies | Scouting Report

29. Robert Puason, Athletics | Scouting Report

30. Oswald Peraza, Yankees | Scouting Report

[jays4life19]

For P2F -

 

Gabriel Arias | SS

Gabriel Arias

Born: Feb 27, 2000

Bats: R Throws: R

Ht.: 6'1" Wt.: 201

Signed By: Luis Prieto/Yfrain Linares/Trevor Schumm.

VIEW PLAYER CARD

TRACK RECORD: Arias ranked as one of the top prospects in the 2016 international class and signed with the Padres for $1.9 million out of Venezuela. He shined defensively but scuffled offensively his first two and half years as a pro, but he flashed his vast potential with a .344/.376/.533 slash line in the second half of 2019 at high Class A Lake Elsinore.

 

SCOUTING REPORT: Arias is a long, lean athlete with tremendous raw ability. He is a gifted defensive shortstop who plays under control, smoothly ranges in all directions, has reliable hands and owns plus-plus arm that allows him to make jaw dropping throws. Evaluators use words like “special”, “elite” and “unbelievable” to describe his shortstop defense. Arias has a smooth swing that stays through the ball, and his long levers and wiry strength give him surprising plus raw power. Arias' problem is his breaking ball recognition is exceedingly poor and has resulted in a nearly 30 percent career strikeout rate. Arias hits breaking balls in the zone, but flails at ones below the zone. Once he minimized his movements at the plate, he recognized pitches better and took off in the second half.

 

THE FUTURE: How well Arias improves his plate discipline will determine if he hits enough to play everyday. He'll be just 20 years old at Double-A Amarillo next year.

[P2F]

Bless. <3

[BlueRocky]

 

So talks of reducing minor league teams from 160 to 120 is the likely happening to some extent. Rosters will be trimmed out so a lot fewer org guys, which produce higher quality competition and hopefully better wages down in the minors.

 

Current Blue Jays minor league levels:

 

Full season

AAA: Buffalo Bisons (intl league)

AA: New Hampshire Fisher Cats (eastern league)

A+: Dunedin Blue Jays (florida state league)

A: Lansing Lugnuts (midwest league)

 

Short season

A-: Vancouver Canadians (northwest league)

Rk+: Bluefield Blue Jays (appalachian league)

Rk: GCL Blue Jays (gulf coast league)

Rk-: DSL Blue Jays (dominican summer league)

[Vdubfan]

Anybody have ESPN+ that can copy and paste? Kiley just released a massive draft rankings piece for next three drafts. https://t.co/pvgFdMyGCP

[Spanky99]

Anybody have ESPN+ that can copy and paste? Kiley just released a massive draft rankings piece for next three drafts. https://t.co/pvgFdMyGCP

 

Oh... yes please! Seconded.

[THANOS]

Oh... yes please! Seconded.

 

Would love to read that!!

[Vdubfan]

ESPN changing Insider to be wrapped up into +, when nobody outside of the US even has the chance to lawfully purchase it, was so frustrating. I had Insider for years because it paired with a super cheap ESPN Mag subscription. Really hate missing out on Kiley's stuff.

[Boxcar]

Anybody have ESPN+ that can copy and paste? Kiley just released a massive draft rankings piece for next three drafts. https://t.co/pvgFdMyGCP

 

Did Kiley get fired from whatever team he was working for again?

[Spanky99]

Did Kiley get fired from whatever team he was working for again?

 

No, he left fangraphs, dummy.

[Boxcar]

Bless. <3

 

You are soooooooooo lucky that Coronavirus voided our bet

[Boxcar]

No, he left fangraphs, dummy.

 

I know cockbrain, I thought he left FG to join a FO somewhere