Official MiLB/Prospects Thread

[Laika]

He's worth a look in Toronto have you f***ing seen our shortstop's numbers? Have you seen him try to play defense?

[Laika]

we need to Cancel Bo Bichette!

[Terminator]

Dante Bichette's son's reign of terror as our starting shortstop might finally be coming to a close.

 

He's surrounded on all sides with SSs better than him. Kinder-Falafel on the IL, Leo Jiminez on the big league team and now Gabriel Cancel-That-Big-Bo-Extension in Buffalo.

 

I pray that Ross Atkins finds the courage to do the right thing and trade Bo to the Dodgers for 50 cents on the dollar while he still can.

[Krylian]

Dante Bichette's son's reign of terror as our starting shortstop might finally be coming to a close.

 

He's surrounded on all sides with SSs better than him. Kinder-Falafel on the IL, Leo Jiminez on the big league team and now Gabriel Cancel-That-Big-Bo-Extension in Buffalo.

 

I pray that Ross Atkins finds the courage to do the right thing and trade Bo to the Dodgers for 50 cents on the dollar while he still can.

 

'Atkins' and 'Courage' don't ever belong in the same sentence

[Terminator]

'Atkins' and 'Courage' don't ever belong in the same sentence

 

I tend to agree. He let Craig Biggio bully him into tendering his son contracts for YEARS before finally finding the courage to cut him loose. But he did eventually do it.

 

Dante doesn't have the Hall of Fame credentials that Craig Biggio has, but he is a much more physically intimidating presence. Only time will tell if Ross has the courage to do it again.

[Spanky99]

Blue Jays mid season top 30 by BA...

 

1. Orelvis Martinez

SS / 2B

 

Ht: 5'11" | Wt: 200 | B-T: R-R

 

Age: null

 

July Update: Only days after making his MLB debut, Martinez was suspended 80 games for violating MLB’s drug prevention and treatment program. Prior to that Martinez was showing that his refined plate skills in 2023 were no fluke.

 

BA Grade: 60/Extreme

 

Track Record: Teams likely regret passing on Tiedemann out of Lakewood (Calif.) High in the five-round 2020 draft. In pro ball, the lefthander has quickly developed one of the highest ceilings among pitching prospects. Tiedemann showed progress at Golden West (Calif.) JC in 2021, prompting the Blue Jays to draft him in the third round and sign him for a below-slot $644,800. He debuted with Low-A Dunedin in 2022, showing a jump in velocity and stuff across his arsenal. On the back of his elite stuff and strong performance, he climbed to Double-A that August. Tiedemann entered 2023 spring training with an opportunity to pitch his way to Toronto. He instead was shut down with left shoulder soreness and got a late start to his season. After four dominant but truncated Double-A starts, Tiedemann returned to the injured list with a left biceps sprain on May 5. He did not return to Double-A New Hampshire until Aug. 11. He made seven appearances there and one for Triple-A Buffalo before finishing with four starts in the Arizona Fall League, where he was league pitcher of the year. More critically, Tiedemann exceeded 70 pitches and five innings three times in the AFL, something he had not done since July 1, 2022.

 

Scouting Report: Tiedemann is a tall, strong-bodied lefthander with the build prototypical of workhorse starters. Despite his physical appearance, his health and durability have been major question marks. When healthy, Tiedemann has an outlier combination of velocity, movement and deception, delivering the ball from a low three-quarters slot. His fastball sits 94-97 mph and touches 98 mph. He generates below-average ride but heavy armside run that plays up due to his low slot and ability to hide the ball. While Tiedemann’s best pitch historically has been his changeup, that pitch backed up in 2023 as concerns about the difference in release height and arm slot compared with his fastball became a larger issue. His changeup features heavy tumble and fade as he kills lift and generates a heavy dose of armside run. His slider became his primary secondary in 2023. It’s a low-80s pitch with sweep and ride. Tiedemann shows an uncanny ability to manipulate his slider and land it in the zone. The pitch generated whiffs at a rate of 39% in-zone in 2023 as well as a 49% rate of called-plus-swinging strikes. As the Blue Jays continue to refine Tiedemann’s arsenal it should continue to improve, giving him three plus or better pitches, including one secondary pitch to neutralize hitters of either handedness. Tiedemann’s command can come and go, but it’s reasonable to think a large chunk of the season was impacted by injury.

 

The Future: No one questions that Tiedemann has the tools and attributes to develop into a No. 2 or 3 starter. It’s only a matter of whether his body will cooperate. A strong season at Triple-A in 2024 will land him in Toronto. n

 

Scouting Grades Fastball: 65 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 55

Headshot of Ricky Tiedemann

2. Ricky Tiedemann

LHP

 

Ht: 6'4" | Wt: 220 | B-T: L-L

 

Age: null

 

July Update: Tiedemann continues to deal with arm related injuries which have severely limited his time on the mound dating back to the second half of 2022. Tiedemann returned to the mound in June making rehab starts in the Florida Complex League and in Low-A. Few question Tiedemann’s ability on the mound, but his laundry list of injury list stints have hurt his prospect status.

 

BA Grade: 55/High

 

Track Record: Martinez signed out of the Dominican Republic for $3.51 million in 2018. He skipped the Dominican Summer League and made his pro debut in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League in 2019, hitting .275/.352/.549 in 40 games as a 17-year-old. Martinez moved quickly following the pandemic-lost 2020 season, seeing both levels of Class A in 2021 and spending all of 2022 at Double-A New Hampshire. After an uneven showing as a 20-year-old at Double-A, Martinez returned to the level in 2023. After a slow start, he hit .268/.390/.557 from May 1 through the end of the first half. He was promoted to Triple-A Buffalo on July 18 and spent the winter with Licey of the Dominican League.

 

Scouting Report: Martinez entered 2023 trending toward a power-over-everything hitter with major questions around his bat-to-ball skills and swing decisions. Instead, he showed a more refined and patient approach without sacrificing his aggressiveness. Martinez showed a willingness to make pitchers work and in turn saw better pitches in the zone. He made the most of those opportunities as his simple, powerful swing easily backspins his best contact to his pull side. Martinez has always had strong hands and the ability to get to plus power in games. His improvements in approach and contact have allowed him to project to get to his power against more advanced pitchers. Martinez is a fringe-average runner who will turn in an average run time on occasion. He’s not rangy afield but shows the ability to play multiple infield positions. He has focused on shortstop and third base in pro ball, but his best long-term position is likely second base, where he has enough range and his plus arm would be an asset.

 

The Future: Martinez is a bat-first second baseman with the ability to hit 30-plus home runs at peak.

 

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 60 | Run: 45 | Field: 45 | Arm: 60

Headshot of Addison Barger

3. Addison Barger

SS / OF

 

Ht: 6'0" | Wt: 210 | B-T: L-R

 

Age: null

 

BA Grade: 50/High

 

Track Record: Drafted in 2018, Barger spent most of 2019 on the restricted list before emerging with added power from the 2020 pandemic shutdown. He had a strong season in 2021 with Low-A Dunedin before breaking out in 2022 by hitting .308/.378/.555 across three levels and reaching Triple-A. Barger returned to Buffalo in 2023 and struggled initially before an April 28 trip to the injured list with elbow pain. After an examination found no structural damage, Barger returned to Buffalo on June 21 and hit .254/.358/.424 over the final 68 games. He showed improved plate discipline upon his return via rates of 19% strikeouts and nearly 14% walks.

 

Scouting Report: After showing a more aggressive approach and more in-game power in 2021 and 2022, Barger showed more patience in 2023 and a toned-down launch angle. This in turn produced a more consistent bat path, and he showed improvements in contact, in-zone contact and swing decisions. Barger traded some fly balls for line drives and ground balls, but he closed some of the holes in his swing. While he hit for less power in 2023, his underlying exit velocity data improved across the board, with his average exit velocity jumping more than 3 mph and his 90th percentile EV increasing by 2 mph to 106 mph. Barger is a fringe-average runner and not a threat to steal bases. In the field, he is unlikely to stick at shortstop full time, and he saw time in right field and at third base and second base in 2023. He has a plus arm that could work at a variety of positions, but it’s a matter of cleaning up some of his actions and footwork.

 

The Future: Barger is a versatile lefthanded hitter who has improved his hit tool while learning to play right field. He is a super-utility type with above-average hitting ability.

 

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 45 | Field: 45 | Arm: 60

Headshot of Arjun Nimmala

4. Arjun Nimmala

SS

 

Ht: 6'1" | Wt: 170 | B-T: R-R

 

Age: null

 

BA Grade: 55/Extreme

 

Track Record: Nimmala became the highest drafted first-generation Indian player when the Blue Jays selected him with the 20th overall pick in 2023. They signed him for $3 million, or about 80% of slot value for the pick. As a youth, Nimmala played primarily cricket before converting to the baseball diamond. During his senior season at Strawberry Crest High outside Tampa, Nimmala was selected Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Florida and won the Wade Boggs Award as the best player in Hillsborough County. Nimmala made his pro debut in August in the Florida Complex League, playing in nine games and walking 14 times with eight strikeouts.

 

Scouting Report: Nimmala is a young, projectable infielder with plenty of tools to still develop. He has an average build that projects to add strength in the coming years. He shows at least average bat-to-ball skills with a simple righthanded swing that has a steeper path optimized for power. After often expanding the zone at a high rate as an amateur, Nimmala showed a more refined approach in his brief pro debut. He has natural loft in his swing that allows him to make his best contact in the air consistently. Nimmala possesses plus bat speed and his body should continue to get stronger in the coming years. He’s an average runner, but his quick footwork allows him to cover ground at shortstop, where his hands and actions are above-average. His above-average arm strength should be the final ingredient that allows him to stick at shortstop.

 

The Future: Nimmala has plenty of tools and showed more refinement at the plate in his brief pro time. He projects as a power-hitting shortstop with above-average defensive ability who, if he develops, could hold down the position in Toronto for an extended spell.

 

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 50 | Field: 55 | Arm: 55

Headshot of Josh Kasevich

5. Josh Kasevich

SS

 

Ht: 6'1" | Wt: 200 | B-T: R-R

 

Age: null

 

BA Grade: 45/High

 

Track Record: Kasevich spent three seasons at Oregon earning all-Pacific-12 Conference honors as a junior. The Blue Jays drafted Kasevich in the second round in 2022. He debuted after the draft with Low-A Dunedin, hitting .262/.344/.336 across 25 games. Kasevich was assigned to High-A Vancouver out of spring training 2023 and stayed there all season.

 

Scouting Report: A highly skilled and polished player, Kasevich has made his bones on the strength of his plate skills. He is rarely fooled and his linear, contact-focused approach yields high rates of balls in play. He’s adept at hitting velocity and spin but rarely with impact. Kasevich shows an advanced approach and keeps a tidy zone. He has the profile to hit for a high average against more advanced pitching but likely with very little impact. Kasevich’s raw power is below-average with very little high-end power and flatter angles in his best contact. A fringe-average runner, Kasevich is a smart baserunner but not a major basestealing threat. He is a skilled infielder with strong hands, actions and instincts in the field. He saw a majority of his time at shortstop but likely lacks the range and arm strength to plate there everyday.

 

The Future: Kasevich fits as a utility infielder with quality bat-to-ball skills, approach and the ability to handle multiple positions.

 

Scouting Grades Hit: 60 | Power: 30 | Run: 45 | Field: 55 | Arm: 45

Headshot of Kendry Rojas

6. Kendry Rojas

LHP

 

Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 190 | B-T: L-L

 

Age: null

 

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

 

Track Record: Rojas signed for $215,000 out of Cuba in October 2020 and debuted the following summer in the Florida Complex League. He began 2022 at Low-A Dunedin making eight appearances before a lat injury put him on the injured list for a large chunk of the season. Rojas returned to Dunedin in 2023 and made 15 starts as part of 20 total appearances. He pitched 84 innings in total. Rojas ranked among the Florida State League leaders in several categories as he finished the season with a 3.75 ERA, a 23.4% strikeout rate and a 9.4% walk rate as a 20-year-old.

 

Scouting Report: Rojas has a whippy arm action with good arm speed and delivers the ball from a low three-quarters slot. He mixes a trio of pitches in his four-seam fastball, slider and changeup. Rojas’ fastball sits 92-93 mph and touches 94-95 at peak with above-average ride and cut. He commands the pitch at a fringe-average level, with intermittent bouts of wildness. Rojas’ primary secondary pitch is a mid-80s slider with some cut that he shows advanced feel to throw. It generated whiffs in and out of the zone in 2023. His changeup is a mid-to-high-80s pitch without heavy tumble or fade. Still, it was an effective chase pitch in 2023 and drove whiffs out of the zone. Rojas can frequently get out of sync mechanically, spinning off his plant foot at release. As he refines his mechanics, he should find greater consistency with his strike-throwing. Rojas has a projectable arsenal of pitches with command that should improve with time.

 

The Future: Rojas is a projectable lefthander who projects as a No. 4 starter. He is ready for an assignment to High-A Vancouver in 2024.

 

Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 50

Headshot of Alan Roden

7. Alan Roden

OF

 

Ht: 5'11" | Wt: 215 | B-T: L-R

 

Age: null

 

BA Grade: 45/High

 

Track Record: Roden maintained freshman eligibility into his third season at Creighton after redshirting in 2019 and seeing just three games of action during the shortened 2020 season. He spurned draft interest following his 2021 freshman campaign in order to complete his physics degree. The Blue Jays drafted Roden in the third round in 2022 and signed him for an under-slot $497,500. Assigned to High-A Vancouver in 2023, he hit his way to Double-A New Hampshire on July 19 and batted .310/.421/.460 in 46 games at the higher level.

 

Scouting Report: Roden has always shown elite bat-to-ball skills and approach. He has a stockier build with broad shoulders but is a better athlete than he appears. Roden has an unusual setup and swing, as he sets up with his hands high above his head in a similar fashion to Angels first baseman Nolan Schanuel. This is an alteration from Roden’s setup during college, when his bat rested on his shoulder in a deep crouch. Roden is now more upright and his front leg drift has been replaced by a more traditional leg kick. Despite the unusual setup and mechanics, Roden is able to control his barrel with high accuracy, rarely swinging and missing. He shows fringe-average game power, but it’s not a matter of hard contact. It’s a lack of lift in his bat path. Most of Roden’s hardest-hit balls in play are line drives. He’s an average runner underway, which allows him to play an average to perhaps a touch better defense in the corner outfield. Roden has an above-average arm that plays well in the corners.

 

The Future: Roden has a hit tool-driven profile with limited power upside due to his unusual swing and setup. He can be a solid second-division regular with the ability to play an outfield corner and provide high batting averages and on-base ability.

 

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 50 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55

Headshot of Spencer Horwitz

8. Spencer Horwitz

1B / 2B

 

Ht: 5'10" | Wt: 190 | B-T: L-R

 

Age: null

 

BA Grade: 40/Medium

 

Track Record: Horwitz has been one of the Blue Jays’ most productive minor leaguers over the last three seasons. After hitting .290/.390/.453 in 2022 across Double-A and Triple-A, Horwitz was added to Toronto’s 40-man roster. He returned to Triple-A Buffalo to begin 2023 and earned his first big league callup on June 16. He played in three games before being optioned back to Buffalo. Horwitz returned to Toronto in early September and appeared in 12 games. Horwitz, the grandson of Mets media relations director Jay Horwitz, was a member of Team Israel in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

 

Scouting Report: Horwitz is a classic bat-first prospect, with major league-caliber hitting skills but a lack of defensive value. He is an above-average contact hitter with advanced approach and on-base skills. He has good adjustability in his barrel and hits a variety of pitch types. Horwitz possesses average raw power, but his lack of elevation on contact limits his home run production. Horwitz is a 30-grade runner who is station-to-station on the bases. He’s below-average at first base and has an average arm.

 

The Future: Horwitz is a ready-made bench bat with a chance to be a second-division regular.

 

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 40 | Field: 40 | Arm: 50

Headshot of Adam Macko

9. Adam Macko

LHP

 

Ht: 6'0" | Wt: 170 | B-T: L-L

 

Age: null

 

BA Grade: 45/High

 

Track Record: A native of Slovakia, Macko was introduced to baseball in grade school and learned to pitch by watching YouTube videos of MLB pitchers. His family moved to Ireland and then Canada, where Macko entered more formal baseball training and blossomed into a legitimate draft prospect. The Mariners drafted Macko in the seventh round in 2019. Macko was traded to the Blue Jays for Teoscar Hernandez after the 2022 season. He spent all of 2023 in his native Canada, making 20 starts for High-A Vancouver. Macko was added to the 40-man roster following the season.

 

Scouting Report: Macko is an undersized lefthander with a deep repertoire of pitches. He mixes five different pitches in his four-seam fastball, slider, curveball, changeup and cutter. Macko’s fastball sits 93-95 mph with heavy ride and run, and the pitch is commanded well to both sides of the plate. He mixes two different breaking balls in a slider sitting 82-84 mph with moderate sweep and an upper-70s curveball with a big two-plane break. Macko’s mid-80s changeup has good shape and is effective when he lands it, but he struggles to get in the strike zone. Macko’s cutter sits 87-88 mph and was used sparingly. Overall, Macko shows above-average command of his three primary pitches.

 

The Future: Macko has multiple average or better pitches and improving command of his arsenal, giving him a chance as a back-of-the-rotation starter.

 

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 40 | Cutter: 30 | Control: 55

Headshot of Leo Jimenez

10. Leo Jimenez

SS / 2B

 

Ht: 5'10" | Wt: 215 | B-T: R-R

 

Age: null

 

BA Grade: 45/High

 

Track Record: Jimenez was considered one of the top players to come out of Panama in the last decade when he signed for $825,000 in 2017. He endured two injury-shortened seasons in 2021 and 2022, missing time with shoulder and hand injuries. Jimenez began 2023 with Double-A New Hampshire, making 76 starts for the Fisher Cats primarily at shortstop and hitting .287/.372/.436 with a 15.9% strikeout rate. He earned a promotion to Triple-A Buffalo in late August.

 

Scouting Report: Jimenez does not wow with loud tools or flashy play, but he’s an instinctual, disciplined ballplayer. He employs a simple swing with a direct path and average bat speed. He shows an ability to adjust his hands and make a high rate of contact. Jimenez rarely swings and misses in the strike zone and shows advanced swing decisions. He’s patient but not passive, regularly attacking strikes. Jimenez shows sneaky power, but it’s mostly in the form of line drives. He began to show the ability to pull the ball in the air without forcing it, hinting at untapped power. His underlying exit velocity data is above-average for his age, with a 88.5 mph average and a 90th percentile EV of 104.2. He’s a fringe-average runner capable of clocking an average run time on a hustle play down the line. He’s not a basestealing threat but has a quick first step and good infield instincts. He shows an average arm at shortstop, but his quick release and good internal clock allow him to make a majority of plays. Jimenez may end up at second base due to the limitations of his arm.

 

The Future: Jimenez is a solid all-around player who will likely break-in as a utilityman but should develop into a second-division regular over time.

 

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 40 | Run: 45 | Field: 55 | Arm: 50

 

Headshot of Landen Maroudis

11. Landen Maroudis

RHP

 

Ht: 6'3" | Wt: 195 | B-T: R-R

 

Age: null

 

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

 

Track Record: Maroudis was a two-way standout for Florida high school powerhouse Cavalry Christian who started at shortstop on days he didn’t pitch. He ranked as the 82nd overall prospect for the the 2023 draft and was viewed as one of the top high school talents in the state of Florida. The Blue Jays selected Maroudis in the fourth round and signed him for $1.5 million, their second-highest bonus in the class. He did not pitch following the draft.

 

Scouting Report: Maroudis is an athletic righthander with a tall, projectable build. He delivers the ball from a low three-quarters arm slot with some violence in his delivery at release, including a head whack and wicked recoil. Maroudis’ stuff steadily grew over his time in high school. He mixes four pitches: a four-seam fastball, slider, curveball and changeup. His fastball sits 90-93 mph and touches 96 with above-average ride and good plane. Maroudis’ primary secondary is a low-80s changeup with good velocity and vertical separation off his fastball. Maroudis mixes two breaking balls in a low-80s slider and a curveball in the mid 70s. The slider is a newer addition to his repertoire but has overtaken the curveball in effectiveness. Maroudis shows average command of his secondaries.

 

The Future: Maroudis is an exciting high school righthander with starter traits and the makings of an average or better three-pitch mix.

 

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 50

Headshot of Enmanuel Bonilla

12. Enmanuel Bonilla

OF

 

Ht: 6'1" | Wt: 180 | B-T: R-R

 

Age: null

 

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

 

Track Record: Bonilla garnered the largest bonus in franchise history for an international amateur when he signed for $4.1 million. His was the fourth-highest bonus for any international signee in 2023. Highly regarded for his combination of hitting ability and present power, Bonilla debuted in the Dominican Summer League and hit .307/.407/.429 in 50 games. Bonilla is likely to make his U.S. debut in 2024 in the Florida Complex League.

 

Scouting Report: Bonilla was touted as one of the most advanced hitters in the 2023 international class. He shows present strength and feel to hit with a good balance of aggression and patience. Bonilla is still learning to hit spin and can be beaten by good breaking balls in the zone. He shows good adjustability in his hands, but his lower half and upper halves can often get out of sync, leading to some inconsistent swings. Bonilla has above-average raw power, and showed it in games with a max exit velocity of 108 mph. His ability to hit the ball at good angles and elevate to his pull side portends well for future power gains. Bonilla is an average runner, likely to slow down as he grows into his body. With potential for diminishing speed, he is likely to move off center field to a corner, where he could grow into an average fielder. Bonilla’s arm is above-average and will play in all three outfield spots.

 

The Future: Bonilla is an exciting young outfielder with potential for an above-average hit and power combination.

 

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 45 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55

Headshot of Connor Cooke

13. Connor Cooke

RHP

 

Ht: 6'1" | Wt: 203 | B-T: R-R

 

Age: null

 

BA Grade: 45/High

 

Track Record: After coming out of the bullpen for two seasons at Louisiana-Lafayette, Cooke made the jump to the rotation in his third season. He went 7-3 with a 2.03 ERA with 90 strikeouts and 37 walks in 79.2 innings as a starter in 2021, prompting the Blue Jays to draft him in the 10th round and sign him for $141,900. After breaking camp with Low-A Dunedin in 2022, Cooke worked as a multi-innings piggyback starter. He was promoted to High-A Vancouver on Aug. 2 and has been exclusively a reliever since. He broke camp with Vancouver in 2023 and made nine appearances before he was promoted to Double-A New Hampshire. He spent a majority of his season at Double-A before earning a late-August promotion to Buffalo.

 

Scouting Report: One of the best athletes in the Blue Jays organization, Cooke saw a giant leap in stuff in 2023. He mixes three pitches, all of which can flash above-average. He has a unique ability to ride a fastball, spin a breaking ball and turn over a changeup. Cooke’s fastball sits 95-96 mph and touches 97-98 at peak, with ride, run and a difficult angle for hitters to get on plane. He spins his sweeper slider at 2,800-3,000 rpm with nearly a foot and a half of sweep on average. His slider sits 83-85 mph. He shows average command of his fastball and slider and fringe-average command of his changeup. His offspeed is infrequently used but shows heavy tumble and fade when he lands it. Overall, Cooke shows high-leverage stuff and intensity.

 

The Future: Cooke is a high-powered reliever who has refined his arsenal with a potential high-leverage relief future. His 40.6% strikeout rate ranked third among minor league relievers with at least 30 appearances in 2023 and he is in line to make his major league debut in 2024.

 

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 45

Headshot of Fernando Perez

14. Fernando Perez

RHP

 

Ht: 6'3" | Wt: 170 | B-T: R-R

 

Age: null

 

BA Grade: 45/High

 

Track Record: Perez signed in January 2022 as an under-the-radar target. He grew up in a remote area of Nicaragua and was not considered a notable signing. Perez debuted in the Dominican Summer League in 2022, making 12 starts and showcasing advanced command. He made 10 starts in the Florida Complex League in 2023 and impressed over 49.2 innings. The most memorable moment of Perez’s season came on Aug. 7 when he tossed seven no-hit innings to combine with two relievers to complete a no-hitter.

 

Scouting Report: A tall, projectable righthander, Perez has made his name early on the quality of his command. He mixes three pitches in his four-seam fastball, slider and changeup. Perez’s fastball sits 92-93 mph and touches 94 at peak with ride and run. He shows good command for the pitch and consistently lands it in the zone. His most frequently thrown secondary is a low-80s gyro slider with some cut. He shows tremendous feel for the pitch. Perez’s changeup sits 82-83 mph with nice tumble and fade, and he commands it. His control and command are above-average and he projects to remain a starter long term.

 

The Future: Perez is a talented strike-thrower with a projectable mix and body who should grow into a back-end starter.

 

Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 55

Headshot of Ryan Jennings

15. Ryan Jennings

RHP

 

Ht: 6'0" | Wt: 190 | B-T: R-R

 

Age: null

 

BA Grade: 45/High

 

Track Record: Jennings spent five years playing college baseball, beginning his career with two all-conference seasons at Wharton JC (TX). He then transferred to Louisiana Tech, where he played two seasons for the Bulldogs. The Blue Jays drafted Jennings in the 4th round as a senior-sign money-saver. Jennings was assigned to High-A Vancouver to begin 2024.

 

Scouting Report: Jennings is an undersized righthanded starter who’s found success on the strength of his fastball. Jennings mixes a four-seamer with a curveball, slider and changeup, with his fastball seeing nearly 60% usage. Jennings’ fastball sits 94-96 mph and shows heavy armside run and more vertical break than you’d expect from his tilt arm slot. Of his three secondaries, Jennings relies most heavily on his mid-80s gyro slider and low-80s curveball. Both miss an above-average number of bats, and he shows average command for both. Jennings uses his changeup infrequently.

 

The Future: Long term, Jennings will likely head into a relief role where his fastball and combination of breaking balls will play.

 

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 30 | Control: 45

Headshot of Dahian Santos

16. Dahian Santos

RHP

 

Ht: 5'11" | Wt: 160 | B-T: R-R

 

Age: null

 

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

 

Track Record: Santos signed for $150,000 in 2019 and has impressed over the course of his young professional career. After a standout season at Low-A Dunedin in 2022, Santos saw a late-season promotion to High-A Vancouver. He returned to Vancouver to begin 2023 and pitched well over a dozen starts before he was shut down with an elbow strain. While with Vancouver, Santos struck out 27.2% of batters while holding opposing hitters to a .173 average.

 

Scouting Report: Santos is an undersized righthander with a low arm slot and a three-pitch mix. He mixes a low-90s two-seam fastball with heavy armside run that generates weak contact. Santos’ most-used secondary--and best pitch--is his sweeper slider in the low 80s with 16 to 18 inches of horizontal break. He generates high rates of swings-and-misses in and out of the zone with his slider. It is an effective chase pitch. Santos’ mid-80s changeup shows nearly reverse movement of his sweeper, running heavily off the plate with tumble. While Santos has three pitches with good shape and average or better projection, his lack of command and strike-throwing limit his upside and potential role.

 

The Future: Santos has the tools to start, but his undersized frame and lack of command will likely push him to a relief role long term.

 

Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 40

Headshot of Jace Bohrofen

17. Jace Bohrofen

OF

 

Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 205 | B-T: L-R

 

Age: null

 

BA Grade: 45/High

 

Track Record: A highly touted prep player out of the state of Oklahoma, Bohrofen ranked 141st in the 2020 draft class. He honored his commitment to Oklahoma, lasting one season with the Sooners before transferring to Arkansas. He spent two seasons with the Razorbacks. After a down year in 2022, Bohrofen roared back in 2023 by hitting .318/.436/.612 with 16 home runs. The Blue Jays drafted him in the sixth round and signed him to a near-slot bonus of $302,000. In his pro debut, Bohrofen played in 17 games with Low-A Dunedin hitting .307/.442/.677 with six home runs.

 

Scouting Report: A powerful lefthanded hitter with a smooth swing, Bohrofen is a power-over-hit prospect with solid on-base skills. He is an excellent fastball hitter and does most of his damage there. He struggles against good spin, but his strong swing decisions limit some of his exposure. Bohrofen has strong on-base skills to go along with above-average game power. He makes consistent hard contact at positive angles and shows the ability to drive the ball to his pull side. Bohrofen is a fringe-average runner now who likely slows down. He has enough range to handle an outfield corner with an average throwing arm.

 

The Future: Bohrofen fits the profile of the modern slugger. How much contact he makes as he moves up will dictate whether or not he reaches everyday regular status.

 

Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 55 | Run: 40 | Field: 45 | Arm: 50

Headshot of Damiano Palmegiani

18. Damiano Palmegiani

3B / 1B

 

Ht: 6'0" | Wt: 195 | B-T: R-R

 

Age: null

 

BA Grade: 45/High

 

Track Record: Born in Venezuela, Palmegiani immigrated to British Columbia as a youth and grew up in Canada rooting for the Blue Jays. He was twice drafted by Toronto, first out of high school in the 35th round in 2018 and again in the 14th round in 2021. He got an opportunity to represent Canada in the 2023 World Baseball Classic and carried that momentum into the minor league season. Palmegiani has quickly ascended through the Blue Jays system, reaching Triple-A Buffalo by the end of 2023. Following the season he participated in the Arizona Fall League.

 

Scouting Report: Palmegiani is a bat-driven infielder with a balance of skills. He’s a fringe-average contact hitter, adept at doing damage to pitches located middle-in. His stiff swing path lacks adjustability, and he can be beaten by good spin. Where Palmegiani excels is his approach. He rarely expands the zone and shows a good, balanced approach. His raw power is above-average and he gets to it in games. He shows the ability to backspin balls to his pull side with consistency. Palmegiani is a below-average runner and not a basestealing threat.vHe’s below-average at third base and shows particular difficulty going back on shallow fly balls. His arm is average but lacks accuracy. Palmegiani might move to first base.

 

The Future: Palmegiani is the type of bat-first prospect the Blue Jays have had success with. He has a second-division regular upside.

 

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 40 | Field: 40 | Arm: 45

Headshot of Chad Dallas

19. Chad Dallas

RHP

 

Ht: 5'11" | Wt: 206 | B-T: R-R

 

Age: null

 

BA Grade: 45/High

 

Track Record: Dallas spent his freshman season at Panola (Texas) JC, before transferring to Tennessee. He enjoyed success over two seasons with the Volunteers, striking out 143 batters and walking just 26 in 124.1 innings. Dallas was selected by the Blue Jays in the fourth round of the 2021 draft but didn’t debut until the following spring. He spent all of his 2022 season at High-A Vancouver and returned there to begin 2023, but his improved physique and stuff saw him earn promotion to Double-A New Hampshire after five starts.

 

Scouting Report: Dallas mixes a four-seam fastball, slider, curveball, cutter and a changeup. His primary pitch is his mid-80s slider, which sees heavier usage than his fastball. Dallas’ slider is a true sweeper that sits 84-85 mph with 13-14 inches of horizontal break, and he shows easy plus command of the pitch. His fastball sits 92-94 mph with average ride and cut. Dallas generates lots of bad contact against his fastball but does not generate many whiffs. He mixes a curveball at 81-82 mph with two-plane break and a cutter sitting 89-91 mph. Dallas’ firm upper-80s changeup is thrown just a few times a game and isn’t a major part of his repertoire. He shows average command of his pitch mix, with a knack for consistently landing his slider in the zone.

 

The Future: Dallas is an undersized starter with a shot at a back-of-the-rotation role.

 

Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 30 | Cutter: 50 | Control: 50

Headshot of Juaron Watts-Brown

20. Juaron Watts-Brown

RHP

 

Ht: 6'3" | Wt: 190 | B-T: R-R

 

Age: null

 

BA Grade: 45/High

 

Track Record: A shoulder injury sustained while playing high school football forced Watts-Brown to redshirt at Long Beach State in 2021. He returned fully healthy in 2022 and broke out, earning second-team Freshman All-America honors. Watts-Brown transferred to Oklahoma State for 2023. Over 15 starts with the Cowboys, he struggled with his command, walking 48 batters in 84.1 innings and finishing the season with a 5.03 ERA. Despite his poor performance, teams still liked his projectable frame and pitch mix. The Blue Jays drafted Watts-Brown in the third round and signed him for an above-slot bonus of $1 million.

 

Scouting Report: Watts-Brown has a prototypical tall picther’s frame, with a smooth rhythmic operation on the mound and a high three-quarters slot. He mixes four pitches in his four-seam fastball, slider, curveball and an infrequently used changeup. Watts-Brown’s fastball sits 90-93 mph with above-average ride and run, but the pitch lacks velocity and deception and rarely misses bats. His slider is the crown jewel of his arsenal. It’s a mid-80s gyro slider with late bite, and it’s equally effective against righthanded and lefthanded hitters. Watts-Brown mixes a curveball as his third pitch. It sits 80-82 mph with depth. He rarely throws his changeup, a mid-80s offspeed pitch he pockets in most starts. Watts-Brown has below-average command at present but could evolve to fringe-average with time and pro instruction.

 

The Future: A projectable righthander with command concerns, Watts-Brown could develop into a back-of-the-rotation starter.

 

Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 30 | Control: 45

 

21. Nolan Perry

RHP

 

Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 195 | B-T: R-R

 

Age: null

 

BA Grade: 45/Extreme

 

Track Record: As a senior at Carlsbad High in New Mexico, Perry won a state title as a two-way standout serving the role of ace pitcher and starting shortstop. Ranked as the top player in the state, he slipped under the draft radar and the Blue Jays selected him in the 12th round in 2022. They signed him for $200,000. Perry debuted in the Florida Complex League in 2023.

 

Scouting Report: Perry is a projectable young righthander with a feel for spin. He mixes four pitches: a four-seam fastball, slider, curveball and changeup. His four-seam fastball sits 92-93 mph and touches 95 with heavy bore. Perry’s slider is his most-used secondary. It sits 81-83 mph with cut. He uses his curveball at a similar rate to his slider, Perry’s curveball sits 79-81 mph with two-plane break and heavier sweep than his slider. Perry is still developing feel for his changeup, and it was infrequently thrown in 2023. Perry shows fringe-average command of his secondaries.

 

The Future: Perry is a young projectable pitcher with starter traits and an opportunity to develop into a back-of-the-rotation starter.

 

Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 30 | Control: 45

Headshot of Eric Pardinho

22. Eric Pardinho

RHP

 

Ht: 5'10" | Wt: 155 | B-T: R-R

 

Age: null

 

BA Grade: 40/High

 

Track Record: Signed out of Brazil for $1.4 million during the 2017 international signing period, many considered Pardinho the top pitcher available that year. He impressed in his pro debut in 2018 but missed all of 2019 and 2020 with an elbow injury and subsequent Tommy John surgery. He returned to pitch in 2022, making three appearances in the Florida Complex League. Pardinho spent all of 2023 with High-A Vancouver working in relief. He broke camp with Double-A New Hampshire to start 2024, seeing promotion to Triple-A on June 18th.

 

Scouting Report: After five years of injuries and inconsistent performance, Pardinho has found success as a power reliever in 2024. He mixes four different pitches in a fastball, slider, curveball and changeup. Pardinho’s fastball sits 93-95 mph and has been up to 98 mph this year, showing above-average ride and run from a low release height. His primary secondary is a mid-80s cut-slider that’s seen nearly one-to-one usage with his fastball. Pardinho’s changeup has been his best swing-and-miss pitch, getting his highest rates of swings, whiffs and chase swings. Pardinho also throws a curveball, but it’s rarely used. Overall, Pardinho shows fringe-average command of his arsenal.

 

The Future: Pardinho is a one-inning power reliever who could make his debut later in 2024.

 

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 45

Headshot of Hagen Danner

23. Hagen Danner

RHP

 

Ht: 6'1" | Wt: 215 | B-T: R-R

 

Age: null

 

BA Grade: 40/High

 

Track Record: A standout two-way player in high school, Danner was drafted and developed as catcher over his first few professional seasons. He committed to pitching prior to the 2020 pandemic and has climbed the rungs of the Blue Jays system in the three years since. Danner spent a majority of 2023 with Triple-A Buffalo before earning his first big league callup. Danner pitched one inning for the Blue Jays before injuring his oblique and spending the final six weeks on the injured list. He has a long history of injuries and missed time.

 

Scouting Report: Danner is a flame-throwing reliever with major question marks about his durability. He mixes a trio of pitches in his four-seam fastball, slider and curveball. Danner’s fastball sits 96-97 mph and touches 98-99 with good ride and armside run. It’s not a bat-misser, but sets up his slider well. Danner’s slider is his primary secondary. It sits 87-88 mph with heavy cut. The slider is Danner’s best pitch and it misses bats in and out of the strike zone. He throws an upper-70s curveball with heavy two-plane break but struggles to land it. Danner’s command is average overall, and he throws strikes with his fastball and slider.

 

The Future: Danner is a one-inning reliever with the stuff to cut it as a high-leverage arm.

 

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 40 | Slider: 60 | Control: 50

Headshot of Brandon Barriera

24. Brandon Barriera

LHP

 

Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 180 | B-T: L-L

 

Age: null

 

BA Grade: 45/Extreme

 

Track Record: Barriera went 5-0 with a 2.27 ERA in eight starts as a senior for American Heritage High in South Florida before deciding to sit out the remainder of the 2022 season to prepare for the draft. The Blue Jays selected him with the 23rd pick and signed him for just under $3.6 million. He made his pro debut in May 2023 after dealing with a shoulder issue in spring training. Barriera made four starts before heading to the injured list with an elbow sprain. He returned in mid July, then made three starts before biceps soreness returned him to the IL.

 

Scouting Report: Since his time as an amateur, Barriera has added mass at the expense of his athleticism. He returned looking noticeably larger than his listed 180 pounds. The added strength didn’t translate to conditioning, and Barriera dealt with a trio of injuries. His fastball sits 92-94 mph with heavy cut, and he showed the ability to command his fastball at an average level to set up his slider. His slider is a plus bordering on double-plus sweeper that sits 82-84 mph with nearly a foot of horizontal break on average. He generated a high rates of swings-and-misses against the pitch and flashed the ability to dominate with the pitch in the zone. He showed a mid-to-high-80s changeup with parachuting drop. He threw his changeup just 14 times across all of his appearances. He also flashed a curveball with two-plane break in the upper 70s but it was thrown only a few times this season. His command of his slider and fastball are average, and that pair of pitches accounts for a majority of his usage.

 

The Future: Barriera is a risky prospect with a wide range of outcomes. He will need to improve his conditioning, add velocity and develop a third pitch to stay in the rotation. Otherwise he has the signature pitch to make it as a high-leverage reliever.

 

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 65 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 50

25. Franklin Rojas

C

 

Ht: 5'10" | Wt: 176 | B-T: R-R

 

Age: null

 

BA Grade: 45/Extreme

 

Track Record: Rojas represented Venezuela first at the U-12 World Cup in 2019 in Taiwan, then again in 2022 in Venezuela at the U-15 World Cup Americas Qualifier. He signed with the Blue Jays for $998,000 at the beginning of the 2024 international signing window.

 

Scouting Report: Rojas has a medium frame that’s strong for his age, without a ton of physical projection but already making hard contact with good swing path and bat-to-ball skills. His high baseball IQ is an asset behind the plate, where he projects to stick with good catch-and-throw skills and a solid-average arm.

 

The Future: One of the top catchers in the class, Rojas should debut in the Dominican Summer League in 2024.

 

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 45 | Run: 30 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55

Headshot of T.J. Brock

26. T.J. Brock

RHP

 

Ht: 6'1" | Wt: 200 | B-T: R-R

 

Age: null

 

BA Grade: 40/High

 

Track Record: Brock spent four years in Ohio State’s bullpen, impressing in consecutive summers in the Cape Cod League. The Blue Jays drafted Brock in the sixth round in 2022 and signed him for a below-slot bonus of $72,500. He debuted with Low-A Dunedin and earned a promotion to High-A Vancouver after one appearance. Brock returned to Vancouver to begin 2023. He earned promotion to Double-A New Hampshire in late May and made 32 appearances for the Fisher Cats.

 

Scouting Report: Brock is a high-powered reliever with a bulldog attitude on the mound. He mixes two pitches primarily in his four-seam fastball and slider. Brock’s fastball sits 95-97 mph and will touch 100. The pitch features pedestrian movement and release traits and doesn’t miss many bats. Brock’s slider is his primary pitch and it drives excellent results, with high whiff rates in and out of the zone and poor-quality contact against. Brock’s slider sits 88-90 mph with tight gyro shape, and he shows the ability to command it. Brock shows fringe-average command of his powerful two-pitch mix.

 

The Future: Brock is a two-pitch reliever with power stuff and the ability to move quickly.

 

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Slider: 60 | Control: 45

Headshot of Mason Fluharty

27. Mason Fluharty

LHP

 

Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 215 | B-T: R-L

 

Age: null

 

BA Grade: 40/High

 

Track Record: Fluharty spent three seasons in Liberty’s bullpen, steadily improving with each season. He made the third most appearances in the Atlantic Sun Conference in 2022 and was drafted by the Blue Jays in the fifth round that year. Fluharty debuted with High-A Vancouver post-draft and made 10 appearances. He returned to Vancouver to begin 2023 and earned a promotion to Double-A New Hampshire on May 23. Fluharty make 36 appearances for the Fisher Cats, recording four saves.

 

Scouting Report: Fluharty did not start a game in college and is locked into a relief role in pro ball. He mixes three pitches. Fluharty’s primary pitch is a nasty mid-80s sweeper with ride and on average a foot of sweep. He shows excellent command of the pitch and drives a high rate of swings-and-misses. Fluharty’s second pitch is a cutter at 89-91 mph that functions like a fastball. With good command of the pitch, he misses bats in and out of the zone. He throws a four-seam fastball that sits 90-92 mph, but it’s a clear third pitch. Fluharty is a funky relief prospect with good command of his arsenal.

 

The Future: Fluharty is a slider-first reliever who could handle middle-inning relief or situational usage.

 

Scouting Grades Fastball: 30 | Slider: 60 | Cutter: 50 | Control: 55

Headshot of Hayden Juenger

28. Hayden Juenger

RHP

 

Ht: 6'0" | Wt: 180 | B-T: R-R

 

Age: null

 

BA Grade: 40/High

 

Track Record: The Blue Jays drafted Juenger in the sixth round in 2021 out of Missouri State. He pitched mostly relief in college, but Toronto pushed him to Double-A New Hampshire to open 2022 and he worked primarily as a starter. After a late-season promotion to Triple-A Buffalo, Juenger returned to Triple-A to begin 2023. He spent the entire season with the Bisons working as a reliever.

 

Scouting Report: An undersized righthander whose arsenal plays up due to his unique release traits, Juenger mixes three pitches in a four-seam fastball, slider and changeup. His fastball sits 93-94 mph and touches 95-96, with an outlier approach angle. Juenger’s most-thrown secondary is a changeup that he throws to both lefthanded and righthanded hitters, but it is nearly one-to-one with his fastball versus lefties. Juenger’s changeup sits 83-85 mph with heavy fade. His slider is his primary secondary against righties and has undergone shape changes in the last year. It’s now an upper-80s cutter-like slider. Juenger’s command is below-average. He often leaves his fastball and slider in parts of the strike zone that result in trouble.

 

The Future: Juenger is a potential low-leverage reliever capable of going multiple innings, with a chance to debut in 2024.

 

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Slider: 45 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 40

Headshot of Riley Tirotta

29. Riley Tirotta

1B / 3B

 

Ht: 6'3" | Wt: 195 | B-T: R-R

 

Age: null

 

BA Grade: 40/High

 

Track Record: Tirota was drafted in the 12th round in 2021 out of Dayton and signed for $125,000. He slowly progressed up the minor league ladder, breaking out in 2024 and hitting his way to Triple-A by late May. At the halfway point of the season, Tirotta was among the leaders in wRC+ among all qualified minor league hitters.

 

Scouting Report: Behind Tirota’s 2024 breakout are adjustments to his swing that have resulted in better angles and top-tier contact quality. His contact is below-average, but he limits swings and misses with above-average-to-plus swing decisions. His ability to get on-base and hit for power drives his profile. He’s a fringe-average runner and a below-average defender that’s seen time at third base, first and the outfield corners. His arm is above-average, allowing him to play multiple positions without a true home.

 

The Future: The Blue Jays have had success with productive minor league hitters with a lack of position, and Tirotta figures to be another bat-first utility type.

 

Scouting Grades: Hitting: 40 | Power: 55 | Speed: 45 | Fielder: 40 | Arm: 55

Headshot of Connor O'Halloran

30. Connor O'Halloran

LHP

 

Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 190 | B-T: R-L

 

Age: null

 

BA Grade: 40/High

 

Track Record: A three-year member of Canada’s U-18 national team, O’Halloran is an Ontario native that took home the Big 10 Conference pitcher of the year award in 2023. The Blue Jays selected O’Halloran in the fifth round and assigned him directly to Dunedin. He began 2024 back in Dunedin before receiving promotion to High-A Vancouver after seven starts. O’Halloran’s father, Greg O’Halloran, is a former big leaguer who saw 11 at bats with the Marlins in 1994.

 

Scouting Report: O’Halloran is a deceptive lefthander with a trio of pitches: A four-seam fastball, slider and changeup. His primary pitch is a slider, which he uses over 50% of the time. It sits 79-82 mph with gyro shape, and he has an uncanny ability to land it where he wants. His fastball is his second-most used pitch. It sits 88-90 mph from a five-foot release and has below-average movement. He also mixes in a changeup in the low-to-mid-80s with heavy armside run. O’Halloran shows plus command of his slider but below-average feel for his fastball and changeup.

 

The Future: O’Halloran looks likely to develop into a slider-first reliever that gives lefties fits.

 

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 40 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 45

[Spanky99]

ARTICLEMINORS

Toronto Blue Jays: 2024 Midseason Top 30 Update

July 9, 2024

July 9, 2024

Geoff Pontes

0 Comments

 

 

 

Disappointment has been the overarching theme for the Blue Jays this year. The organization seems like it’s on the verge of selling before the trade deadline and a reset looks to be in order.

 

On the farm, injuries have devastated their pitching ranks as young starters Brandon Barriera and Landon Maroudis both underwent hybrid elbow surgeries that combine Tommy John surgery and an internal brace. Top prospect Ricky Tiedemann’s injury woes have continued, as he’s rehabbing yet another injury. Promising lefthander Kendry Rojas has dealt with shoulder soreness that put him on the injury list.

 

In all, it’s been a disappointing season for the Blue Jays with few bright spots.

 

Baseball America subscribers can see the full updated Blue Jays Top 30 here. Notable risers, fallers, new additions and injury updates are below.

 

Notable Risers

Josh Kasevich, SS

 

The 2022 draft set up as a potential windfall for the Blue Jays, as they had five picks inside the top 100. So far, only Kasevich and Alan Roden have remained bright spots. Kasevich lacks over-the-fence power, but he’s been one of the most difficult outs in the Eastern League so far in 2024. He has an advanced hit tool with the ability to provide average-or-better defense across the infield.

 

Spencer Horwitz, 2B

 

After three seasons of showing advanced bat-to-ball skills and approach, Horwitz has broken through to the Blue Jays’ lineup. Since Horwitz was promoted on June 8th he’s been one of the top-performing hitters for Toronto. The advanced plate skills Horwitz has shown for years are passing the test at the game’s highest level.

 

Notable Fallers

Brandon Barriera, LHP

 

With two lost seasons, Barriera faces a long recovery from Tommy John surgery. Even prior to the injury, Barriera was showing inconsistent and, at times, depleted stuff.

 

Notable New Additions

15. Ryan Jennings, RHP

 

BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

 

Track Record: Jennings spent five years playing college baseball, beginning his career with two all-conference seasons at Wharton JC (TX). He then transferred to Louisiana Tech, where he played two seasons for the Bulldogs. The Blue Jays drafted Jennings in the 4th round as a senior-sign money-saver. Jennings was assigned to High-A Vancouver to begin 2024.

 

Scouting Report: Jennings is an undersized righthanded starter who’s found success on the strength of his fastball. Jennings mixes a four-seamer with a curveball, slider and changeup, with his fastball seeing nearly 60% usage. Jennings’ fastball sits 94-96 mph and shows heavy armside run and more vertical break than you’d expect from his tilt arm slot. Of his three secondaries, Jennings relies most heavily on his mid-80s gyro slider and low-80s curveball. Both miss an above-average number of bats, and he shows average command for both. Jennings uses his changeup infrequently.

 

The Future: Long term, Jennings will likely head into a relief role where his fastball and combination of breaking balls will play.

 

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 30 | Control: 45

 

22. Eric Pardinho, RHP

 

BA Grade/Risk: 40/High

 

Track Record: Signed out of Brazil for $1.4 million during the 2017 international signing period, many considered Pardinho the top pitcher available that year. He impressed in his pro debut in 2018 but missed all of 2019 and 2020 with an elbow injury and subsequent Tommy John surgery. He returned to pitch in 2022, making three appearances in the Florida Complex League. Pardinho spent all of 2023 with High-A Vancouver working in relief. He broke camp with Double-A New Hampshire to start 2024, seeing promotion to Triple-A on June 18th.

 

Scouting Report: After five years of injuries and inconsistent performance, Pardinho has found success as a power reliever in 2024. He mixes four different pitches in a fastball, slider, curveball and changeup. Pardinho’s fastball sits 93-95 mph and has been up to 98 mph this year, showing above-average ride and run from a low release height. His primary secondary is a mid-80s cut-slider that’s seen nearly one-to-one usage with his fastball. Pardinho’s changeup has been his best swing-and-miss pitch, getting his highest rates of swings, whiffs and chase swings. Pardinho also throws a curveball, but it’s rarely used. Overall, Pardinho shows fringe-average command of his arsenal.

 

The Future: Pardinho is a one-inning power reliever who could make his debut later in 2024.

 

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 45

 

29. Riley Tirotta, 3B

 

BA Grade/Risk: 40/High

 

Track Record: Tirotta was drafted in the 12th round in 2021 out of Dayton and signed for $125,000. He slowly progressed up the minor league ladder, breaking out in 2024 and hitting his way to Triple-A by late May. At the halfway point of the season, Tirotta was among the leaders in wRC+ among all qualified minor league hitters.

 

Scouting Report: Behind Tirotta’s 2024 breakout are adjustments to his swing that have resulted in better angles and top-tier contact quality. His contact is below-average, but he limits swings and misses with above-average-to-plus swing decisions. His ability to get on-base and hit for power drives his profile. He’s a fringe-average runner and a below-average defender that’s seen time at third base, first and the outfield corners. His arm is above-average, allowing him to play multiple positions without a true home.

 

The Future: The Blue Jays have had success with productive minor league hitters with a lack of position, and Tirotta figures to be another bat-first utility type.

 

Scouting Grades: Hitting: 40 | Power: 55 | Speed: 45 | Fielder: 40 | Arm: 55

 

30. Connor O’Halloran, LHP

 

BA Grade/Risk: 40/High

 

Track Record: A three-year member of Canada’s U-18 national team, O’Halloran is an Ontario native that took home the Big 10 Conference pitcher of the year award in 2023. The Blue Jays selected O’Halloran in the fifth round and assigned him directly to Dunedin. He began 2024 back in Dunedin before receiving promotion to High-A Vancouver after seven starts. O’Halloran’s father, Greg O’Halloran, is a former big leaguer who saw 11 at bats with the Marlins in 1994.

 

Scouting Report: O’Halloran is a deceptive lefthander with a trio of pitches: A four-seam fastball, slider and changeup. His primary pitch is a slider, which he uses over 50% of the time. It sits 79-82 mph with gyro shape, and he has an uncanny ability to land it where he wants. His fastball is his second-most used pitch. It sits 88-90 mph from a five-foot release and has below-average movement. He also mixes in a changeup in the low-to-mid-80s with heavy armside run. O’Halloran shows plus command of his slider but below-average feel for his fastball and changeup.

 

The Future: O’Halloran looks likely to develop into a slider-first reliever that gives lefties fits.

 

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 40 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 45

 

Significant Injuries

Brandon Barriera, LHP

 

The concerns around Barriera’s health escalated to red flag territory this season when he needed a hybrid elbow surgery. The procedure is a combination of Tommy John surgery and an internal brace procedure.

 

Landon Maroudis, RHP

 

One of Blue Jays’ bright spots from minor league spring training, Maroudis was injured on April 21st. An elbow injury was announced, and a few weeks later it was reported that Maroudis underwent a hybrid elbow surgery in the same fashion as teammate Brandon Barriera.

 

Kendry Rojas, LHP

 

Shut down in April with shoulder soreness, Rojas is still working his way back from injury. He’s made two rehab starts and is expected to rejoin the Vancouver rotation this month.

[Spanky99]

Notable movers in the Midseason top 100...

 

JULY

BIG MOVES UP IN THE JULY UPDATE

Carson Williams, SS, Rays (No. 13 to No. 9)

 

Williams’ stat line has dropped from exceptional to extremely good over the past month. That wasn’t a big shock, as we have noted that his underlying metrics hadn’t changed as much as his batting average or on-base percentage changed. But if anything, he has solidified his status as a top shortstop prospect. He’s hitting for average, getting on base, hitting for power, and he’s one of the better gloves at shortstop in the minors.

 

Jacob Wilson, SS, Athletics (No. 41 to No. 19)

 

Wilson is a career .411 MiLB hitter right now. It’s only been 272 plate appearances, and that average will surely drop, but the underlying stats behind those numbers are almost as hard to believe. The number of breaking balls he’s swung at and missed in the strike zone this year can be counted on one hand. He’ll chase a pitch out of the zone every now and then, but there’s almost no one in the minors who can come close to his contact ability on strikes. Wilson doesn’t hit the ball particularly hard, but he knows how to grip, rip and lift a pitch in the right situations, which is why he has a .200+ isolated power in his pro career. There’s some Nick Madrigal-esque components to Wilson’s game, but those are if Madrigal had become the player many hoped to see—a contact-hitting machine who could provide defensive value and occasional pop.

 

Xavier Isaac, 1B, Rays (No. 37 to No. 20)

 

Isaac’s physical transformation has been as impressive as his consistency in the batter’s box. A 260-pound first baseman in high school, Isaac has slimmed down dramatically while also getting stronger. He now turns in average run times, has 13 steals in 15 attempts this year and has made the corner outfield spots a potentially viable second option in addition to his work at first base. Even more importantly, he’s one of the most well-rounded hitters in Class A. He’s projected to hit for average and power.

 

Kevin McGonigle, SS/2B, Tigers (No. 64 to No. 26)

 

McGonigle is only 19, but he hits like he’s a 29-year-old. McGonigle has the wonderful combination of an understanding of the strike zone combined with the ability to rarely ever swing and miss at pitches in the strike zone. He’s been the best hitter in the Florida State League and he’s also 15-for-17 on stolen bases. The pairing of McGonigle and Max Clark give the Tigers a pair of young hitting prospects to dream on.

 

Kyle Teel, C, Red Sox (No. 43 to No. 27)

 

Teel has quickly established himself as one of the best catching prospects in the game. He’s athletic, he can handle the physical and mental demands of the position and he’s also capable of being a middle-of-the-order bat.

 

Brooks Lee, SS, Twins (No. 42 to No. 28)

 

Lee’s recurring back issues linger in the back of the mind like a nagging headache. There’s always the worry that they could derail what could be. But when Lee is healthy, like he is now, he also shows why it’s easy to imagine a healthy Lee racking up 2,000 hits over the next 20 years.

 

Lazaro Montes, OF, Mariners (No. 46 to No. 29)

 

Montes has hit his way to High-A Everett, but he’s also showing he’s a better athlete and outfielder than expected. He’s not going to make any Seattle fans forget Ken Griffey Jr.’s defense, but he’s demonstrating he’s a very playable corner outfielder. With his hitting ability, that should be more than enough.

 

Justin Crawford, OF, Phillies (No. 45 to No. 33)

 

Crawford just keeps impressing with a lot of professional at-bats to go with athleticism. He will likely never be a massive home run hitter, but he is steadily improving at tapping into his power.

 

Thomas White, LHP, Marlins (No. 70 to No. 43)

 

There aren’t many bright spots that will be remembered from the Marlins’ 2024 season, but the development of White and Noble Meyer does provide some hope.

 

Luke Keaschall, 2B/OF, Twins (No. 63 to No. 48)

 

Keaschall keeps bouncing between center field, second base and DH as the Twins try to figure out where he best fits defensively. But no one mentions his glove when bringing up Keaschall, because he projects to be a plus hitter with average power. Keaschall doesn’t give pitchers a lot of ways to get him out. He can catch up to a fastball, but he also recognizes spin and destroys a changeup if the pitcher tips it at all. And he has a solid awareness of how to lay off pitches out of the zone. He’s the kind of grinder who pitchers hate, but it’s a hate born from respect.

 

Bubba Chandler, RHP, Pirates (No. 68 to No. 51)

 

Chandler’s stuff and consistency has ticked up. Over the past month he has a 35-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 25.1 innings. He’s looking more like a starter, and he’s showing the ability to dominate that has long been expected of him.

 

Quinn Mathews, LHP, Cardinals (No. 95 to No. 53)

 

Early this season, Mathews dominated Low-A, but it’s hard to be impressed when a polished college pitcher dominates the Florida State League. A bump up to the Midwest League didn’t slow him down at all. Now he’s impressing in the Double-A Texas League, and showing his stuff plays against more experienced hitters.

 

Zebby Matthews, RHP, Twins (No. 97 to No. 54)

 

In his first 12 outings this year, Matthews has yet to walk two batters in any game. He’s thrown 70% strikes in every one of his last eight starts. He’s a control artist, but he also has the ability to reach back for 99 mph when he needs it, and he has a trio of quality secondary offerings.

 

Ralphy Velazquez, 1B, Guardians (No. 81 to No. 57)

 

The Guardians moved Velazquez from catcher to first base right after drafting him. With reduced defensive demands, Velazquez’s bat has stood out. He projects to hit for average and power, and his body has improved as well.

 

Big Moves Down In The July Update

Colson Montgomery, SS, White Sox (No. 11 to No. 30)

 

Montgomery is quite young for Triple-A, so it’s easy to be patient with his early-season struggles. Unfortunately for Montgomery and the White Sox, they haven’t gone away. Charlotte is an outstanding hitter’s park which has disguised some of Montgomery’s issues. Away from Charlotte, he’s hitting .181/.311/.370 this year. Montgomery still regularly demonstrates his plus power and he knows how to draw a walk, but he looks like a player who will need a year and a half at Triple-A before he’s big league ready.

 

Aidan Miller, SS, Phillies (No. 20 to No. 39)

 

Miller’s first month in High-A has been much rougher than any part of Miller’s dominating start in the Florida State League. It’s not a giant surprise, but Miller needs to show he can catch up to High-A pitching.

 

Harry Ford, C, Mariners (No. 44 to No. 72)

 

Ford continues to show he can get on-base. But the rest of his game has yet to make the same strides. He’s slugging .377 in the Texas League, which is just above the league average. He is extremely athletic for a catcher. He’s even stolen 21 bases in 27 tries. His defense remains a work in progress.

 

Spencer Jones, OF, Yankees (No. 50 to No. 73)

 

Jones is a streaky hitter who can have a week where he carries a team. The concern is he also has weeks where he strikes out in 40% or more of his plate appearances. He’s striking out 35.9% of the time in 2024. Jones has long levers and a big strike zone, but he sometimes makes it even bigger by chasing pitches above and below the zone. If Jones can work a count to get a pitch on the inner third or middle of the zone, he can punish it. He’s hitting .346/.344/.631 in those zones. But he’s hitting only .226/.219/.290 on pitches on the outer third of the strike zone, and he’s struggled against breaking balls.

 

Orelvis Martinez, 2B/3B, Blue Jays (No. 51 to No. 74)

 

Martinez had just made it to the majors when he was suspended for 80 games for a violation of performance enhancing drug rules.

 

Players Added To The Top 100

Jaden Hamm, RHP, Tigers

 

Hamm is at this point the second-best pitching prospect in the Tigers’ system, trailing only the best pitching prospect in baseball (Jackson Jobe). He’s a fast riser who should at least be a quality reliever, but with a solid chance to carve out a role as a solid mid-rotation starter.

 

Kristian Campbell, 2B, Red Sox

 

The Red Sox farm system has gotten significantly better in the past couple of years, and Campbell looks to be one of the best surprise success stories. He has an unconventional swing, but it really works.

 

Yanquiel Fernandez, OF, Rockies

 

Fernandez is another example of how players at the back of the 100 can hop on and off. We try to not overreact one way or the other, but we also want to respond to the feedback we can from scouts and front office officials. Early this season, we heard worries about Fernandez’s approach. As the weather warms up, we’re hearing more about his still potent power potential.

 

Alex Freeland, SS, Dodgers

 

Oh look. It’s another Dodgers hitting prospect. Freeland was a third-round pick in 2022. There were questions about whether a club-foot he had repaired as a child would limit his mobility, but it’s not slowing Freeland down at all. The switch-hitter is impressing scouts both as a hitter and in the field, where he’s Tulsa’s everyday shortstop.

 

David Festa, RHP, Twins

 

Festa joins Zebby Matthews, C.J. Culpepper and Simeon Woods Richardson in giving the Twins a number of pitching development success stories in 2024. Festa doesn’t throw as hard as Matthews, who is covered above in the Top 100 risers, but his fastball has life at the top of the zone, and he projects as a solid, MLB-ready starting pitcher.

 

Hayden Birdsong, RHP, Giants

 

Birdsong has made it to the majors for the suddenly pitching-needy Giants. Ideally, he’ll get some more time in Triple-A, as his big-league callup came after just nine innings in the Pacific Coast League. Birdsong may not be fully ready just yet, but he’s been one of the Giants’ best success stories of the past two seasons and projects as a mid-rotation MLB starter.

 

Felnin Celesten, SS, Mariners

 

Seattle’s bounty of young hitting prospects keeps multiplying. Michael Arroyo, Aidan Smith and others will have to wait for their Top 100 Prospects nod, but Celestin has bullied his way onto the list by being one of the standouts of the Arizona Complex League.

 

Shane Baz, RHP, Rays

 

Baz dropped off because he didn’t look as sharp and his stuff wasn’t as firm in his return from Tommy John surgery. He’s still not at his pre-surgery best, but his arsenal is headed in that direction, and he’s been much more consistent in his last few starts. The Rays actually have more starters than spots at this moment, but with the trade deadline looming, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see a spot open up. Baz seems ready to take it.

 

Braxton Ashcraft, RHP, Pirates

 

The Pirates have promoted Jared Jones and Paul Skenes to the MLB rotation. Ashcraft looks to be next up, with Bubba Chandler following behind him. The Pirates’ pitching development has been a success story this year, which has helped the team hover around .500 despite offensive struggles. Ashcraft had improved his slider to go with a plus fastball.

 

Henry Bolte, OF, Athletics

 

Bolte has more tools than a Harbor Freight store, but he’s shown he’s able to add some skills and savvy to go with his power and speed.

 

James Triantos, OF, Cubs

 

The jump to Double-A has proven to be no problem for Triantos. If anything he looks to be a better hitter against more advanced pitching while also showing the ability to rack up stolen bases.

 

Gary Gill Hill, RHP, Rays

 

Gill Hill is one of the breakout prospects of the first half of the 2024 season. A pitcher in Low-A is a risky proposition. A pitcher in Low-A who had relatively pedestrian stuff a year ago is even riskier. But Gill Hill now shows three above-average or better pitches with a fastball that touches 98 mph, a pair of breaking balls and a changeup that is advanced for his age.

 

Graduated

Paul Skenes, RHP, Pirates

 

Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF, Cubs

 

Noelvi Marte, 3B, Reds

 

Dropped Out

Hurston Waldrep, RHP, Braves

 

Waldrep was placed on the injured list with a sore elbow after two rough starts in Double-A.

 

Jordan Beck, OF, Rockies

 

Beck has been out for a month and a half with a hand injury after struggling in his first exposure to major league pitching.

 

Luis Perales, RHP, Red Sox

 

Perales will miss the rest of 2024 and likely much of 2025 after suffering an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery.

 

Robby Snelling, LHP, Padres

 

Snelling dominated the Midwest League last year on his way to earning BA’s MiLB Pitcher of the Year award. The Texas League has proven to be a much bigger challenge. Snelling’s 6.46 ERA is second-worst among Texas League qualifiers. His .306 opponents average is third-worst among Texas League pitchers. And his .533 slugging percentage is worst in the Texas League. Snelling’s stuff has taken a step back this year, and he’s proving much more hittable. He’s young and many young pitching prospects have a setback like this before making adjustments and regrouping (see MacKenzie Gore’s 2021 season as an example). But he needs to regroup.

 

Zac Veen, OF, Rockies

 

Veen may be on a brief departure before returning to the Top 100. He’s on a rehab assignment after spending the past five weeks on the injury list, after having his 2023 season wrecked by injuries. Veen’s dropping is partly to get other prospects onto the 100. The difference between being on and off the list at the back of the 100 is a narrow margin.

 

Robert Gasser, LHP, Brewers

 

Gasser was great in five starts with the Brewers. Unfortunately he’s blown out his elbow and just had Tommy John surgery, which will sideline him until late in the 2025 season at the minimum. Gasser remains a solid pitching prospect, but it’s hard to stick at the back of the Top 100 when you have to come back from major surgery.

 

Adam Mazur, RHP, Padres

 

Mazur made it up to the majors, but big league hitters gave him a lengthy to-do list for when he returned to Triple-A. The shocking development was Mazur’s 16.5% walk rate. He’s had a 4.3% walk rate in his MiLB career. But Mazur doesn’t really have an out pitch in the majors, which meant he had to nibble a lot more.

 

Cade Cavalli, RHP, Nationals

 

Cavalli’s return from Tommy John surgery hit another setback as he’s missed time with the flu. Cavalli’s stuff has been solid in his post-Tommy John return, but he’s thrown just 8.1 innings in six weeks since he first returned to the mound.

 

Victor Scott, OF, Cardinals

 

Scott hit .323 in the Texas League last year while tying for the MiLB lead in stolen bases. After a stint in the majors, he’s hitting .209/.282/.284 this year at Triple-A Memphis. He’s a better hitter than that, but he needs to chase fewer pitches out of the zone.

 

June

Big Moves Up In The June Update

Paul Skenes, RHP, Pirates (Up 4 Spots In The Top 10): Skenes’ MLB debut has been about as impressive as could have been imagined. He’ll graduate in roughly five starts, but he’s a comfortable No. 1 prospect until then.

 

Noah Schultz, LHP, White Sox (Up 17 Spots): Schultz has struck out 40% of all batters he has faced this year. Few lefty starters can match his combination of fastball velocity (mid 90s and touching 97-98) and a devastating slider that he can throw for strikes or out of the zone on command. Chicago has kept him on very tight pitch limits, which is the biggest concern. He hasn’t demonstrated an ability to shoulder MLB-style starter workloads yet.

 

Marcelo Mayer, SS, Red Sox (Up 8 Spots): Mayer has shown that his second-half struggles in 2023 were largely because of an injured wrist. He remains one of the best shortstop prospects in the game.

 

Carson Williams, SS, Rays (Up 15 Spots): Williams is a sure-fire shortstop defensively, and he has long shown power potential. The biggest question has been his bat-to-ball skills and pure hitting ability. His .297 average is third best in the Southern League, and he’s first in the league in slugging percentage, extra-base hits, doubles and total bases and is second in triples and home runs. There are still some concerns about whether he’s a fringe-average or average hitter, but he’s alleviating concerns that his bat could hold him back.

 

Colt Emerson, SS, Mariners (Up 21 Spots): In our reporting to build the June update, no prospect (other than Aidan Miller) got more positive feedback than Emerson. He’s not a slam dunk to stay at shortstop, but he’s sure to stay at a premium position defensively, and he projects as an above-average hitter wherever he plays. He’s dealing with a fracture because he fouled a ball off his foot, but that shouldn’t derail his season.

 

Emmanuel Rodriguez, OF, Twins (Up 23 Spots): Rodriguez is a divisive prospect because he’s so extreme in his approach. No prospect swings less than Rodriguez. That leads to strikeouts and walks, but when he does swing Rodriguez hits plenty of stung line drives and home runs.

 

Aidan Miller, SS, Phillies (Up 52 Spots): Miller is the breakout prospect of the first half of the 2024 MiLB season. He missed time in his senior season of high school with a hamate injury. Now that he’s fully healthy, he is showing why he was considered one of the best hitters in the 2023 prep class.

 

Tink Hence, RHP, Cardinals (Up 36 Spots): The ranking was updated before Hence left his June 5 start early and walked to the clubhouse with a trainer. Few MiLB pitchers can match Hence’s pure stuff, and he’s showing the feel to set up hitters to go with that stuff.

 

Chase Dollander, RHP, Rockies (Up 22 Spots): Dollander so far looks more like the dominating 2022 starter than the 2023 less consistent starter. It’s an encouraging start.

 

Christian Scott, RHP, Mets (Up 29 Spots): Scott’s MLB debut has been everything that could have been expected or hoped, even if the Mets have briefly sent him back to Triple-A. Scott projects more as a durable mid-to-back of the rotation starter than an ace, but there’s plenty of value to that, especially for a pitcher who is ready to handle that role.

 

Xavier Isaac, 1B, Rays (Up 13 Spots): Isaac is a first base-only prospect. That’s a demographic rarely cracks the Top 50, but Isaac is an advanced hitter with big-time power. He’s convincing a lot of skeptical scouts.

 

Lazaro Montes, OF, Mariners (Up 30 Spots): Montes is never going to provide a ton of defensive value, but if a corner outfielder/DH/first base type can mash, that becomes less of an issue–see Yordan Alvarez for an example. Montes has the rare ability to hit for average and power as a long-levered, impressive physical specimen.

 

Starlyn Caba, SS, Phillies (Up 39 Spots): Even with Andrew Painter on the injured list and Mick Abel struggling, it’s been an excellent start to the season for Phillies prospects.

 

Kyle Manzardo, 1B, Guardians (Up 19 Spots): Manzardo is a split-camp prospect, but he’s playing regularly in Cleveland and could graduate before next month’s update.

 

Moises Ballesteros, C, Cubs (Up 24 Spots): Some evaluators question whether Ballesteros is too big to catch. There are fewer questions about his bat, as he’s marrying solid swing decisions with big power.

 

Jonny Farmelo, OF, Mariners (Up 34 Spots): Picking your favorite Low-A Modesto prospect is a challenging task. Three of them cracked this list of prospects who have taken big steps up. Farmelo is a very promising hitter with solid athleticism.

 

Kevin Alcantara, OF, Cubs (Up 20 Spots): His stats so far this year are solid but unspectacular, but in our reporting we got feedback that Alcantara’s steadily improving approach and big tools were worth a bump.

 

Logan Evans, RHP, Mariners (Up 14 Spots): If you’re finding flaws, Evans may lack a true strikeout pitch, but his slider is plus and he mixes pitches, works down in the zone and has plus control. Add it all up and he should be a durable, reliable starting pitcher.

 

Big Moves Down In The June Update

Max Clark, OF, Tigers (Down -13 Spots): Clark is one of the most decorated prep hitters of the last few draft cycles. A twitchy center fielder with strong contact skills and projectable power, there’s still a lot to like about Clark’s future. He’s still showing those strong plate skills as a professional, but the lack of impact in his bat has some scouts worried it’s just fringe-average power.

 

Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF, Cubs (Down -13 Spots): Few evaluators question Crow-Armstrong’s elite defensive chops in center field but his bat has many concerned. While Crow-Armstrong has the ability to flash a dynamic power and speed combination, his habit of expanding the zone far too often likely limits his offensive impact. While Crow-Armstrong dropped, it was more of a recalibration of prospect stock on an easy future everyday regular.

 

Jacob Misiorowski, RHP, Brewers (Down -27 Spots): Misiorowski’s prospect stock soared like a rocket in 2023 as he climbed into the top 25 of the Top 100. Unfortunately, Misiorowski’s command has gone from a concern to a major worry for evaluators. Misiorowski has made 15 starts dating back to 2023 and he has continually struggled to throw strikes. Over 10 starts this season, Misiorowski has walked 18% of the batters he’s faced.

 

Spencer Jones, OF, Yankees (Down -26 Spots): Jones’ combination of size and tools is nearly unmatched, but his swing-and-miss issues have led to questions about whether he’ll hit major league pitching. Jones started the season on the injury list and has been a slow starter with the Yankees’ Double-A affiliate in Somerset. Jones still possesses exciting upside with easy plus-plus power and athleticism. He needs to refine his contact skills to get the most out of his tools.

 

Robby Snelling, LHP, Padres (Down -47 Spots): Snelling enjoyed a meteoric rise, going from Nevada prep pick to Baseball America’s Minor League Pitcher of the Year in a little over a year. His start to 2024 hasn’t been so stupendous. Over nine starts with Double-A San Antonio, Snelling has struck out just 19.5% of batters he’s faced while walking 10.8% of hitters. Evaluators have questions around the quality of Snelling’s stuff, with a fastball that sits just 92-93 mph with dead-zone shape. Snelling’s two primary secondaries have also missed a below-average amount of bats this season.

 

Ricky Tiedemann, LHP, Blue Jays (Down -19 Spots): Few players received as much move up feedback from industry sources as Tiedemann prior to his May injury last year. Since then, he’s shown flashes of dominance while rising to the top 25 of the list, but far too often he’s on the injury list. The concern around Tiedemann’s health has many high-level decision makers throughout the game concerned about his long-term viability as a starter.

 

Bubba Chandler, RHP, Pirates (Down -16 Spots): Drafted as a two-way prep standout from the Georgia prep ranks, the Pirates have developed Chandler as a pitcher. There’s good reason behind this logic, as Chandler possesses an easy plus fastball sitting 95-97 mph with well above-average vertical break and a low release height. Despite jaw-dropping stuff, Chandler’s command has limited him from consistent success as a starter. In 2024, Chandler is walking 13.3% of batters he’s faced this season. Chandler’s command woes have led many evaluators throughout the game to place a future relief role on Chandler.

 

Brady House, 3B, Nationals (Down -36 Spots): House’s resurgent 2023 campaign put House’s injury issues in the rear view mirror, but 2024 hasn’t been quite so friendly. House is hitting .236/.322/.421 over 49 Double-A games with a 29.2% strikeout rate. House’s average plate skills have bottomed out this season as he’s running a high whiff rate and a fringy chase rate. Evaluators across the game have been less than impressed with House’s hitting ability and question how much impact he’ll have long term.

 

Luis Morales, RHP, Athletics (Down -24 Spots): Morales is among the most exciting prospects in the Athletics farm system. Signed out of Cuba for $3 million in January of 2023. After an exciting professional debut in 2023, Morales has had an inconsistent season. Morales began the year on the injury list with shoulder fatigue and his swing and miss stuff has been noticeably absent since he returned. Morales still has tantalizing upside but the 2024 season has provided a reason for recalibration.

 

Victor Scott II, OF, Cardinals (Down -20 Spots): Scott was rushed to the big leagues to begin the 2024 season due to a rash of injuries to the Cardinals starting outfield corps. Scott looked overmatched against big league pitching and was jettisoned to Triple-A Memphis. Since his demotion Scott has struggled to hit the ball with impact and is hitting .216/.307/.321 over 36 games with Memphis. Many believe that Scott will settle in, as his contact skills show strong underlying traits, but there’s a need to adjust expectations around the speedy outfielder.

 

Moving On

Luis Perales, RHP, Red Sox (No. 57)

 

Angel Genao, SS, Guardians (No. 65)

 

Luke Keaschall, 2B, Twins (No. 66)

 

Kevin McGonigle, SS, Tigers (No. 67)

 

Thomas White, LHP, Marlins (No. 73)

 

Ralphy Velazquez, 1B, Guardians (No. 84)

 

Spencer Schwellenbach, RHP, Braves (No. 92)

 

Blade Tidwell, RHP, Mets (No. 94)

 

Brandon Sproat, RHP, Mets (No. 97)

 

Quinn Mathews, LHP, Cardinals (No. 98)

 

Cade Povich, LHP, Orioles (No. 99)

 

Zebby Matthews, RHP, Twins (No. 100)

 

You can read about all 12 additions here.

 

Graduated

Jackson Chourio, OF, Brewers

 

Evan Carter, OF, Rangers

 

Wyatt Langford, OF, Rangers

 

Jackson Merrill, OF, Padres

 

Colt Keith, 3B, Tigers

 

Austin Wells, C, Yankees

 

Tyler Soderstrom, C, Athletics

 

Jared Jones, RHP, Pirates

 

Andy Pages, OF, Dodgers

 

Dropped Out

Dylan Lesko, RHP, Padres: The expectation was that Lesko would show the command and control he’d had before his Tommy John surgery to go with the stuff that returned in his late-2023 return. Unfortunately for Lesko, that hasn’t happened. He’s throwing strikes on just 55% of his pitches, far below the typical 61-63% seen from starting pitchers and a drop from the 60% he threw in 2023. His plus changeup is still effective, but he has to regain the feel for his fastball. He’s not getting hit hard, but his control is currently well below-average and has to improve.

 

Mick Abel, RHP, Phillies: Abel’s command is going to have to improve for him to be a big league starter, but this spring he’s added another issue–his stuff is just not what it once was. He’s now sitting 93-94 and topping out at 95-96, where he once sat 95 and touched 99. With less arm speed and below-average control, there’s a lot remaining on his to-do list.

 

Shane Baz, RHP, Rays: We kept Baz on the Top 100 for a year and a half as he rehabbed for Tommy John surgery. He finally returned to the field in early May, but so far he hasn’t looked like the dominating pitcher he was pre-injury. His stuff is a tick down in velocity and sharpness so far. Post-surgery rust for a pitcher is not uncommon, but the feedback we received was to drop him off for now and circle back if and when his stuff returns to his pre-injury form.

 

Roderick Arias, SS, Yankees: Arias was a pick-to-click among scouts, coaches and front office officials who saw him dominate the Florida Complex League last season. That ardor has cooled as he’s found the Florida State League to be much tougher to handle. He was one of the players who received the most consistent feedback from evaluators to drop off the Top 100. He’s still very young and could bounce back, but he’s not a Top 100 Prospect at this time.

 

Tekoah Roby, RHP, Cardinals: In a return to the Texas League, Roby has regressed. He’s giving up more hard contact, walking more hitters and struggling with consistency. His stuff isn’t all that much different from 2023, so the hope is he’ll bounce back, but it’s been a rough first half of the season.

 

Termarr Johnson, 2B, Pirates: Johnson drew rave reviews as a hitter in high school. He was viewed by many scouts as one of the best pure hitters they’d seen in years. No one is saying that in 2024. Johnson still draws walks, but he’s neither hitting the ball with authority nor spraying contact all around the field. For a bat-first infielder, that’s a worrisome trend. The hope is that he’ll regain his timing and confidence at the plate, but a .205/.381/.343 slash line in High-A is less than was expected.

 

Connor Phillips, RHP, Reds: It’s been a rough year for a number of Reds’ prospects, but few have had it rougher than Phillips. His 8.49 walks per nine innings are the worst in the full season minors. In most of his outings, he doesn’t have any pitch that he commands well enough to turn to when he falls behind in counts. Until he throws more strikes, he’s further from the majors than he was in 2023.

 

Thomas Saggese, 2B, Cardinals: Saggese is a bat-first infielder with versatility. His spot on the Top 100 was based on him being one of the better hitting close-to-the-majors infielders. Saggese’s underlying metrics are better than his .228/.298/.394 stats for Triple-A Memphis may indicate, but the margins at the back of the Top 100 are thin, and we had a number of players we wanted to add to the 100.

 

Yanquiel Fernandez, OF, Rockies: As Fernandez has gotten more upper-level exposure, he’s yet to show that he can adjust to pitchers who feed him a steady diet of breaking balls and changeups. He’ll kill a fastball in the zone, but he has to show he can also handle soft stuff away to be enough of a hitter to get to his power.

 

Cam Collier, 3B, Reds: We slid Collier back on when he showed signs of an improved approach and better ability to do damage by pulling the ball in the air. Given another month, some of the same issues from 2023 are still apparent. He struggles to put together competitive at-bats against lefties (.127/.143/.255 with a 34% strikeout rate) and he’s reverted to hitting way too many grounders that are pounded into the dirt just ahead of home plate. As one pro scouting director put it, his still-young age for the level is doing a lot of the heavy lifting for his prospect status.

 

George Lombard Jr., SS, Yankees: We were probably a little hasty with adding Lombard. The reports out of spring training were excellent and Lombard has a chance to be a very well-rounded prospect. But he’s yet to make a lot of impact at the plate. He slides back into the “keep an eye on” category for now.

[glory]

[John_Havok]

 

Poor kid. Broken

[Brownie19]

Adam Macko also left his start with forearm tightness. Jays are cursed.

 

What are the chances we ever see Ricky T establish himself as a starting pitcher? like 3% now?

[Spanky99]

Macko to the IL forearm strain and Yimi couldn't pitch stiff neck... yay!

[Spanky99]

Adam Macko also left his start with forearm tightness. Jays are cursed.

 

What are the chances we ever see Ricky T establish himself as a starting pitcher? like 3% now?

 

No.

[Brownie19]

No.

 

lower? 1.5%?

[Spanky99]

lower? 1.5%?

 

He was likely going to start later this season, he isn't close to a reliever. Unless we hear worse. He's not Frasso, yet. Not close.

[Daniel Labude]

Adam Macko also left his start with forearm tightness. Jays are cursed.

 

What are the chances we ever see Ricky T establish himself as a starting pitcher? like 3% now?

 

99.99%

[Krylian]

99.99%

 

I agree....but with another team.

[Krylian]

 

LOL

 

Yup. Sounds about right.

[Laika]

So the Nate Pearson story was something like this:

 

Pre 2019 - top 100 prospect, consensus

2019 - 100 IP great numbers

Pre 2020 - top 20 prospect, consensus

2020 - COVID season, delayed start, 18 innings, then flexor strain

2021 - core injury ruins his season, just 45 innings between MLB and AAA and most of the MLB innings are in relief. sports hernia surgery resulted.

2022 - mono and lat strain, just 15.1 innings all in the minors

2023 - no longer a starter. good numbers in AAA in 40 innings but too many walks. replacement level 20 innings in MLB but okay K-BB and good stuff.

2024 - slight improvements as an MLB reliever, still looks like a potential setup man or closer with continued development but he's 28 in two months and into arbitration. Not really much of an asset anymore unless he comes a dominant RP.

 

So far the RT story is:

 

2022 - great numbers 78 innings 19 years old

pre-2023 - consensus top 40 prospect

2023 - 44 innings, good numbers but shoulder and biceps injuries take lots of time from him

pre-2024 - consensus top 40 prospect

2024 - hamstring injury, elbow injury (nerve inflammation), elbow injury now again, only 17 innings and likely another mostly lost season like 2023.

he turns 22 in a month.

 

 

I guess the perspective on RT is that he has a good amount of time before we should write him off. He is 22 in a month. His age 22 season will be 2025

Nate Pearson's age 22 season was in fact his breakout 2019.

So Tiedemann is way ahead of Pearson's timeline, at least. Age is a major factor in his favour.

[Jimcanuck]

RT has always had high reliever risk attached to him. That risk is getting damn close to being realized.

[Omar]

I wonder if the Jays are behind in terms of rejuvenation regimens with pitchers coming back off of injuries? Once we get a minor league pitcher suffer any type of physical setback they seem to take an extended time to get "right" again.

 

There is such a thing as chronic workload versus acute workload for pitchers. The Jays seem to be of the mindset whereby they don't spend enough time on chronic workload, rush the prospect up through the system and then subject them to an acute workload. See Alek Manoah.

 

Now this is conjecture on my part but I don't have a lot a faith in the strength and conditioning practices of this org. Like the other aspects of our development system, we're probably behind the curve on this too.

 

Take a look at this piece written by a minor leaguer a few years ago. Very interesting stuff...

 

https://ballnine.com/2021/03/23/dont-stress-the-stress/

[Brownie19]

99.99%

 

Well that doesn't make any sense.

[Brownie19]

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/kansas-city-royals-top-42-prospects-2024/

 

Royals top 42 prospect. Asa Lacy doesn't even make the list. Ouch!

[Laika]

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/kansas-city-royals-top-42-prospects-2024/

 

Royals top 42 prospect. Asa Lacy doesn't even make the list. Ouch!

 

horrendous f***ing system

[AMS528]

May as well get ahead of the curve and give Tiedemann all the other surgeries that are available too. Let's get it all out of the way so we can get to the end of the eventual line we're heading towards, and get him started fresh. I'm not really being serious, but honestly it'd be nice if that was possible.

[max silver]

So the Nate Pearson story was something like this:

 

Pre 2019 - top 100 prospect, consensus

2019 - 100 IP great numbers

Pre 2020 - top 20 prospect, consensus

2020 - COVID season, delayed start, 18 innings, then flexor strain

2021 - core injury ruins his season, just 45 innings between MLB and AAA and most of the MLB innings are in relief. sports hernia surgery resulted.

2022 - mono and lat strain, just 15.1 innings all in the minors

2023 - no longer a starter. good numbers in AAA in 40 innings but too many walks. replacement level 20 innings in MLB but okay K-BB and good stuff.

2024 - slight improvements as an MLB reliever, still looks like a potential setup man or closer with continued development but he's 28 in two months and into arbitration. Not really much of an asset anymore unless he comes a dominant RP.

 

So far the RT story is:

 

2022 - great numbers 78 innings 19 years old

pre-2023 - consensus top 40 prospect

2023 - 44 innings, good numbers but shoulder and biceps injuries take lots of time from him

pre-2024 - consensus top 40 prospect

2024 - hamstring injury, elbow injury (nerve inflammation), elbow injury now again, only 17 innings and likely another mostly lost season like 2023.

he turns 22 in a month.

 

 

I guess the perspective on RT is that he has a good amount of time before we should write him off. He is 22 in a month. His age 22 season will be 2025

Nate Pearson's age 22 season was in fact his breakout 2019.

So Tiedemann is way ahead of Pearson's timeline, at least. Age is a major factor in his favour.

 

I find Ricky's injuries to be more concerning than a lot of Nate's issues as so many of his were freak in nature and not arm related. Nate had fluky s*** like a broken arm from a comebacker, a mono infection and a non throwing arm core issue. With Ricky having so many shoulder/bicep/elbow issues I'm more concerned about his ability to hold up over time even with the relatively younger age.

[Laika]

I find Ricky's injuries to be more concerning than a lot of Nate's issues as so many of his were freak in nature and not arm related. Nate had fluky s*** like a broken arm from a comebacker, a mono infection and a non throwing arm core issue. With Ricky having so many shoulder/bicep/elbow issues I'm more concerned about his ability to hold up over time even with the relatively younger age.

 

Honestly the lost development time is a bigger concern for both. Whether it's mono and gonorrhea or old fashioned TJS, sucks to see prospects like this lose entire seasons of their prime and completely set back their development.

[Krylian]

I find Ricky's injuries to be more concerning than a lot of Nate's issues as so many of his were freak in nature and not arm related. Nate had fluky s*** like a broken arm from a comebacker, a mono infection and a non throwing arm core issue. With Ricky having so many shoulder/bicep/elbow issues I'm more concerned about his ability to hold up over time even with the relatively younger age.

 

Ricky's mom is hotter so at least there's that.

[AMS528]

Honestly the lost development time is a bigger concern for both. Whether it's mono and gonorrhea or old fashioned TJS, sucks to see prospects like this lose entire seasons of their prime and completely set back their development.

 

Agreed it really stalls them out. And in addition tanks any trade value they had. I really doubt after a year like this, and with his history there are any teams that would want any sort of package with him as a centerpiece. That's quite risky for them.

 

Honestly with Orelvis getting tagged for PEDs and Ricky being injured every two weeks this year, our only two real trade chips have tanked their value. There's not really anyone else I can see teams looking at with high upsides. Not as if we should be dealing prospects for major league talent given the current state of the team, but it's sad that it's not even an option now.

 

At least Nimmala has turned it around and looks like he could be a blue chip prospect by next year. Above average numbers now as an 18 year old in A ball.

[MikeM3]

Ricky is not a SP prospect until he does SP things. Seems logical. Said before the season, I don't know how anyone can count on him to be a SP6.

 

It's not just being healthy but you can't just project his stuff to hold for 6 or 7 innings every 5th day unless he shows it.