Official MiLB/Prospects Thread

[Slade]

Full list of Klaw Midseason top 50

 

 

1. Amed Rosario, SS, New York Mets Rosario remains on top as he rots in Triple-A, and he'll be there until Godot shows up to call him to the majors, I guess, even with the Mets getting a composite .240/.313/.409 line from their shortstops along with below-average defense. Rosario, now hitting .327/.365/.474 in very hitter-friendly Las Vegas, is a plus defender at short who has tremendous bat speed with projected power down the line, but the bar for him to beat if the Mets were to just release Jose Reyes and play Rosario somewhere every day is pretty low. ________________________________________

 

2. Gleyber Torres, SS, New York Yankees Torres is out for the year after a freak elbow injury but it doesn't affect anything but his timetable -- he probably would have come up this year, but instead we won't see him until next spring or maybe summer. He had already reached Triple-A at age 20 this year and makes hard contact everywhere he plays, using the whole field well, showing tremendous instincts at shortstop. ________________________________________

 

3. Rafael Devers, 3B, Boston Red Sox Devers hit 22 homers in his first two years in the U.S. in over 1,000 plate appearances. This year, at age 20 in Double-A, he has 18 homers in 320 plate appearances, along with a .300/.369/.575 line and solid defense at third. He should be in Pawtucket already so the Red Sox can at least consider recalling him in September. ________________________________________

 

4. Victor Robles, OF, Washington Nationals Robles is still more tools than feel or instincts, but it hasn't limited his performance one iota, as he's raking in the pitcher-friendly Carolina League at age 20 while playing above-average defense in center. ________________________________________

 

5. Eloy Jimenez, OF, Chicago Cubs Jimenez's .271/.351/.490 line is even more impressive when you consider that Myrtle Beach has historically been among Class A's best pitchers' parks, but it's unsurprising given his light-tower power. And yes, the Cubs signed two of the top five prospects in baseball. ________________________________________

 

6. Francisco Mejia, C, Cleveland Indians Mejia is hitting .341/.372/.525 across three levels since the start of 2016, and he's a catcher. If I felt better about his receiving and game-calling, I might have him at No. 1 overall. ________________________________________

 

7. Michael Kopech, RHP, Chicago White Sox Kopech might have the easiest 80-grade fastball in baseball -- and it has some life beyond just coming in at 100 mph -- along with some early feel for a slider and changeup, along with a workhorse build and repeatable delivery. He's still walking too many guys, but there's no physical reason he can't get to average control, and around injury and a suspension he has racked up only 213 pro innings. ________________________________________

 

8. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 3B, Toronto Blue Jays Vlad might be his father with patience. He's already outperforming his dad in several key areas while playing in low-A at a year younger than when the elder Vlad was there. He's OK at third base now, but his body is already big and he'll have to work on conditioning to stay on the dirt. ________________________________________

 

9. Ronald Acuna, OF, Atlanta Braves Acuna is blessed with all kinds of quickness -- fast hands, a quick bat, running speed -- enough that he has succeeded even where his approach and instincts haven't caught up to the rest of his toolset. He has cooled off in Double-A after a scorching start, but at age 19 even holding his own at that level would be remarkable -- and it earned him a promotion to Triple-A. ________________________________________

 

10. Mitch Keller, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates Keller just came back two weeks ago after missing about a month because of a back strain, but he otherwise has been what he was last year: a potential ace with a plus fastball/plus breaking ball combo, a changeup that's at least solid-average, and above-average command. ________________________________________

 

 

11. Walker Buehler, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers The Dodgers have been appropriately aggressive with Buehler, who is 22 with multiple plus pitches and plus command but is probably going to hit an innings cap later this summer since it's his first full season pitching after 2015 Tommy John surgery. The only real knock here is durability -- between the operation and his slight build, there's some reason to think he's not a 200-inning starter, but his stuff is just so good and his feel so advanced that it seems like nitpicking. ________________________________________

 

12. Alex Verdugo, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers It's an unconventional approach, but it's working -- Verdugo is hitting .346/.416/.463 as the youngest regular in the Pacific Coast League (Triple-A), ranking fourth among qualifiers in average and OBP. He's going to force the Dodgers' hand at some point, now that Chris Taylor's bat is coming back to earth. ________________________________________

 

13. Yoan Moncada, 2B, Chicago White Sox Moncada continues to show power and speed and to make hard contact in Triple-A, but he's also struck out 28 percent of the time and with the way he wraps his bat that's going to continue to be an issue. Even if that never changes, however, he should still be an above-average regular at second, where scouts say he has improved his defensive work, with the power/speed combo and the benefit of making hard contact when he does put the ball in play. ________________________________________

 

14. Nick Senzel, 3B, Cincinnati Reds Senzel looks like a sure thing, high-floor sort of player, an everyday guy at third who hits for average with a high OBP, but he hasn't hit for any power this year and his swing isn't really geared toward it. It's easy to see him in a big league lineup next year on Opening Day; I just don't know if there's All-Star ceiling here. ________________________________________

 

15. Fernando Tatis Jr., SS, San Diego Padres Tatis has been overshadowed a bit by the presence of Vlad Guerrero Jr. in the same league in the first half, but he's having a hell of a year in his own right. At just 18, Tatis is hitting .277/.373/.492, leading the Midwest League in walks, ranking fourth in the league in homers and fifth in stolen bases, while also playing solid defense at short. ________________________________________

 

16. Kyle Tucker, OF, Houston Astros The fifth overall pick in 2015, three picks after Houston took Alex Bregman, Tucker ripped through the Carolina League at age 20, and in only 32 games in Double-A, he has eight home runs, tying him for 19th in the Texas League. There is some length to his swing, but it hasn't mattered yet, and while he has played all over the outfield, he's going to end up in a corner. ________________________________________

 

17. Lucas Giolito, RHP, Chicago White Sox There have been a lot of ups and downs in Triple-A for Giolito as the White Sox try to undo the delivery changes wrought by Washington, but he has been pitching better in the past seven weeks, with his velocity back up to the mid-90s, thanks in part to some help from James Shields when the big leaguer saw Giolito during a recent rehab assignment. ________________________________________

 

18. Brendan Rodgers, SS, Colorado Rockies Rodgers can really play short and he looks as if he's going to hit for average with some pop, but he has spent most of his pro career to date in two great hitters' parks (Asheville and the 0.5 g environment Lancaster), so his stats to date might be a little misleading. He's in Double-A now at age 20 and his performance there will tell us a lot, while the tougher pitching will also force him to work on his patience at the plate. ________________________________________

 

19. Cal Quantrill, RHP, San Diego Padres Quantrill, taken eighth overall in the 2016 Rule 4 draft, has had a very solid first full year in pro ball considering that it's also his first full year back after 2015 Tommy John surgery. He's showing good command of a four-pitch mix with an above-average fastball and changeup. ________________________________________

 

 

20. Jason Groome, LHP, Boston Red Sox Groome's first full season in pro ball hasn't gone quite according to script, as he tried to pitch through injury in April and ended up missing two months. But since his return, his stuff has been there, sitting 92-93 mph and touching 96 with his fastball, also throwing a plus curveball but with a little effort to his delivery. ________________________________________

 

21. Hunter Greene, RHP, Cincinnati Reds The best prospect in this year's draft class will touch 100 mph and sit in the 96 range with as easy and effortless a delivery as you'll find, and he's an incredible athlete who won't turn 18 until next month. Now the real work begins -- tightening up his slider (and perhaps ditching the curveball) and developing some real fastball command rather than just control. ________________________________________

 

22. Brent Honeywell, RHP, Tampa Bay Rays Honeywell should be in the majors soon, as his arsenal is certainly ready and he could help the Rays in a number of different roles. He's known for the screwball, which he flashed Sunday in the Futures Game, but I think his changeup is his best pitch and most likely to be his primary off-speed weapon in the majors, helping him get more swings and misses on his 92-95 mph fastball too. ________________________________________

 

23. Dom Smith, 1B, New York Mets Smith is doing what he should be doing in the hitter-friendly environment of Las Vegas and the PCL, hitting .330/.382/.500 in the first half with 12 homers, just two off his career best. ________________________________________

 

24. Leody Taveras, OF, Texas Rangers The second-youngest regular in the Sally League this year, Taveras has made a ton of contact but doesn't yet have the strength to do much with it. He has the third-most plate appearances in the Sally League but ranks 71st in strikeouts. Scouts praise his instincts and he still has a ton of physical projection ahead of him. ________________________________________

 

25. Willy Adames, SS, Tampa Bay Rays Adames continues to hold his own despite always being a little young for his levels. He won't turn 22 until September but has shown solid plate discipline and a little more power this year in Triple-A. A shortstop now, it's possible he'll move to another position when he's called up now that the Rays have an elite defender at short in Adeiny Hechavarria. ________________________________________

 

26. Kolby Allard, LHP, Atlanta Braves Allard is just 19 but has a 2.88 ERA and 20 percent strikeout rate in Double-A this year, dominating left-handed hitters but also getting righties out with a three-pitch mix led by a plus curveball. ________________________________________

 

27. Carson Kelly, C, St. Louis Cardinals That extension the Cards gave Yadier Molina ... that might have been a little hasty, as Kelly is probably going to be ready to be the Cards' primary catcher next year. He's still making tons of contact and is just one homer away from tying his career high. While no one is going to match Molina's reputation as a game-caller, Kelly continues to improve in all areas on defense. ________________________________________

 

28. Yadier Alvarez, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers Alvarez ranks up there with Kopech among starters with the best stuff in the minors, but Alvarez doesn't miss as many bats as he should and his conditioning has been a problem this year. ________________________________________

 

29. Lewis Brinson, CF, Milwaukee Brewers Brinson is back in the minors, so he qualifies for this list again but could lose his eligibility with another 100 major league at-bats this year. His athleticism and bat speed have carried him up the minors, although I think he's going to have a long adjustment period in the majors, with the eventual ceiling of a plus defender in center who hits 30 homers a year. ________________________________________

 

30. Nick Gordon, SS, Minnesota Twins Gordon continues to hit and to play solid defense at short, with a little more power already this year (six homers, after hitting only five in his first three years in pro ball). He's a high-floor prospect whose exceptional feel for the game will help him exceed his tools. _

 

 

 

31. Scott Kingery, 2B, Philadelphia Phillies Kingery hit eight homers in his first two years in pro ball, and is now at 22 this year even with a midseason promotion from Double-A to Triple-A. He's a 70 defender at second base and a 70 runner, so it won't take much power to make him an above-average regular, with lack of patience really the only flaw in his game right now. ________________________________________

 

32. Ozhaino Albies, SS/2B, Atlanta Braves Albies is a natural shortstop who has moved to second primarily because of the presence of Dansby Swanson, which dings Albies' value slightly, although in the hypothetical instance of a trade he could probably go back to playing short regularly. ________________________________________

 

33. Chance Sisco, C, Baltimore Orioles Sisco is a high-contact hitter without more than average power, and an above-average receiver with an average arm, all of which combines to make him a likely regular behind the plate with a limited ceiling unless he brings some more power into his game. ________________________________________

 

34. Bo Bichette, SS, Toronto Blue Jays Bichette has a big bat-wrap and almost wild approach, but he has outstanding hand-eye coordination and plus bat speed, allowing him to hit .384/.448/.623 before a promotion to high-A earlier this week. He's most likely a second baseman in the long term. ________________________________________

 

35. Kyle Wright, RHP, Atlanta Braves Wright, the fifth overall pick in last month's draft, was the best college pitcher in the class in my opinion, bringing a plus slider and 92-96 mph fastball along with good command and a delivery he repeats well. ________________________________________

 

36. Forrest Whitley, RHP, Houston Astros The Astros' first pick (17th overall) in the 2016 draft out of a San Antonio high school, Whitley is already in high-A after an impressive run through low-A that saw him strike out 34 percent of the Midwest League batters he faced. ________________________________________

 

37. Brendan McKay, LHP/1B, Tampa Bay Rays The Golden Spikes Award winner and fourth overall pick is going to try to play both positions in the Rays' system, although I doubt we'll see him on a mound until next year; I think eventually he'll have to focus on pitching or hitting to the exclusion of the other but could see him succeeding at either role. ________________________________________

 

38. Corbin Burnes, RHP, Milwaukee Brewers Milwaukee's fourth-round pick from 2016 has exploded on the minors this year, throwing 92-95 mph and touching 97, as well as a plus changeup and two breaking balls; he has a 1.06 ERA now across high-A and Double-A thanks to his outstanding control. ________________________________________

 

39. Luiz Gohara, LHP, Atlanta Braves Gohara has been throwing to 99 mph and also shows a power slider, but the biggest news for him this year is durability, as the 20-year-old Brazilian, who's built like CC Sabathia (current version), had never reached 70 innings in any full season before this year. ________________________________________

 

 

 

40. Triston McKenzie, RHP, Cleveland Indians It's all still projection for McKenzie, listed at 6-foot-6 and 165 pounds, and looking every bit of it, but he's already missing tons of bats (32 percent) as a 19-year-old pitching in high-A thanks to his extension out front and a low-90s fastball. ________________________________________

 

41. Ian Anderson, RHP, Atlanta Braves The third overall pick from last year's draft has had some ups and downs in his first full pro season but is showing the same arsenal and delivery that had him projected as a No. 2 or 3 starter out of high school. ________________________________________

 

42. Juan Soto, OF, Washington Nationals This is a bit of a projection pick, as Soto had fewer than 100 plate appearances this year before an ankle injury in early May put him on the shelf, but the powerful 18-year-old impressed scouts in April with his approach against older pitching. ________________________________________

 

43. Franklin Perez, RHP, Houston Astros Just 19 years old and playing in high-A, Perez will show three potential above-average pitches and already has above-average control, lacking the huge upside of a Whitley but with a high floor of his own. ________________________________________

 

44. Kevin Newman, SS, Pittsburgh Pirates Newman scuffled for a few weeks in May after he was hit in the head by a pitch -- returning to the lineup just 48 hours later -- but otherwise has been his usual high-contact, doubles-power self, with solid-average defense at shortstop. ________________________________________

 

45. MacKenzie Gore, LHP, San Diego Padres The best lefty in this year's draft class, high school or college, and the third overall pick, Gore is extremely athletic with a plus breaking ball and solid-average fastball now with good projection for more velocity in time. ________________________________________

46. Yordan Alvarez, 1B, Houston Astros Acquired from the Dodgers last summer for Josh Fields before Alvarez had even played a pro game, the Cuban first baseman has a quiet approach and big power potential. ________________________________________

 

47. Ryan McMahon, 1B/3B, Colorado Rockies The Rockies have moved McMahon around the infield to try to increase his versatility -- he's a natural third baseman, but that's kind of occupied in Denver at the moment -- with first base his most likely long-term position. After a strong start while repeating Double-A for Hartford, he has gone bananas in the altitude of Albuquerque, with power that's going to translate at the big league level, too. ________________________________________

 

48. Mickey Moniak, OF, Philadelphia Phillies Moniak is still just 19, so it's early to sound the alarm, but he hasn't looked good at the plate in low-A, especially against lefties (.214/.256/.298, not seeing breaking stuff at all), and seems less advanced as a hitter than expected, although he's still showing good range in center field. ________________________________________

 

49. Mike Soroka, RHP, Atlanta Braves I don't love the arm action, but Soroka has plus sink on his low-90s fastball and generates a lot of groundballs (51 percent this year in Double-A) while also rarely walking guys, giving him a high floor as long as he stays healthy. ________________________________________

 

50. Jack Flaherty, RHP, St. Louis Cardinals This former high school teammate of Giolito and Atlanta prospect Max Fried is already in Triple-A at age 21. He's working with plus command of a four-pitch mix but struggling just a little in the PCL due to the longball.

Edited July 13, 2017 by Slade

[Krylian]

So you're saying he Bomered?

 

How long have you been sitting on that one?

[Orgfiller]

Lmao Yoan Moncada 13. Okay Keith.

[P2F]

How long have you been sitting on that one?

 

Lol. Honestly, it was completely unplanned.

[Krylian]

John Schneider was on the FAN590 yesterday with Bob McCown. Was asked about Bo and Vladdy. He did mention that Bo does have a lot of moving parts to his swing but it seems to work for him. I know there have been reports that he's cleaned up his mechanics a lot, but just wanted to point out from the Dunedin Manager himself, that it's still pretty complex. Hopefully this doesn't become an issue as he progresses. Don't mean to throw shade, just providing information.

[mphenhef]

Lmao Yoan Moncada 13. Okay Keith.

 

He is striking out at a 28 percent clip so I can see some reason for concern at the major league level.

[Daniel Labude]

Lmao Yoan Moncada 13. Okay Keith.

 

What was Vlad?...nevermind, I couldn't scroll up on my phone lol

[Orgfiller]

He is striking out at a 28 percent clip so I can see some reason for concern at the major league level.

 

I understand there are valid concerns with his contact rate. However, Moncada is by industry consensus (not that this necessarily means a ton) the top prospect in the game, given his combination of power, speed and plate discipline at a good position. He probably has the biggest ceiling out of everyone on the list. So then to see him ranked 13th as a 22 year old who's not struggling in AAA, below several guys who have yet to even reach AA and a couple of high risk/reward pitchers seems very suspect.

[THANOS]

I understand there are valid concerns with his contact rate. However, Moncada is by industry consensus (not that this necessarily means a ton) the top prospect in the game, given his combination of power, speed and plate discipline at a good position. He probably has the biggest ceiling out of everyone on the list. So then to see him ranked 13th as a 22 year old who's not struggling in AAA, below several guys who have yet to even reach AA and a couple of high risk/reward pitchers seems very suspect.

 

He could K like 35% of the time in the majors, and that's a lot of risk. He could turn into a pumpkin real quick.

[Stoneyen]

John Schneider was on the FAN590 yesterday with Bob McCown. Was asked about Bo and Vladdy. He did mention that Bo does have a lot of moving parts to his swing but it seems to work for him. I know there have been reports that he's cleaned up his mechanics a lot, but just wanted to point out from the Dunedin Manager himself, that it's still pretty complex. Hopefully this doesn't become an issue as he progresses. Don't mean to throw shade, just providing information.

 

The swing still has a wrap around aspect and is quite wonky, but he has very good hand eye and very good bat speed, from everything I've heard and seen, that allow him to mash. At least low level pitching. As has been said a bunch of times in here, his stats so far aren't just really good, they're on an entire different level than anyone else.

[Stoneyen]

Also interesting to note that Bo specifically targeted the Jays before the draft as a team that would support his current swing. So I'm guessing they have every intention to let him keep it as it is now going forward.

[Clutchlings]

Gonna jump in here on Bo, since I've seen him and talked to folks in the know about him a fair bit.....Gil Kim said last fall that there were no plans to change his mechanics.....having said that, he certainly has toned the wrap down, probably because he had a bit of trouble handling velo from more advanced pitching prospects at Instructs last fall. Like all good hitters, he makes adjustments. The thing I like about him the most is his approach. He can chase from time to time, but for the most part he has advanced strike zone management for someone his age, likely due to his pitch recognition skills. He will use the whole field, and unlike a lot of guys in this day and age, he's willing to shorten his leg kick and swing with two strikes in order to make contact. Just an advanced bat who is making tremendous strides with his strength, conditioning, agility, and eating habits, to go along with his off the charts make up and baseball IQ. The jury is still out on where he plays long term, but the rule of thumb with any strength/conditioning program is that it takes about a year to really start seeing results. I can't wait to see what he's like next year.

[Laika]

Yeah, Bo's swing isn't really any wonkier than Donaldson's right now IMO.

 

He'll also go to his two strike approach for entire at bats when the situation dictates - for example last night he did it to hit the go-ahead RBI single late in the game. Only needed one base there.

[jays4life19]

Gonna jump in here on Bo, since I've seen him and talked to folks in the know about him a fair bit.....Gil Kim said last fall that there were no plans to change his mechanics.....having said that, he certainly has toned the wrap down, probably because he had a bit of trouble handling velo from more advanced pitching prospects at Instructs last fall. Like all good hitters, he makes adjustments. The thing I like about him the most is his approach. He can chase from time to time, but for the most part he has advanced strike zone management for someone his age, likely due to his pitch recognition skills. He will use the whole field, and unlike a lot of guys in this day and age, he's willing to shorten his leg kick and swing with two strikes in order to make contact. Just an advanced bat who is making tremendous strides with his strength, conditioning, agility, and eating habits, to go along with his off the charts make up and baseball IQ. The jury is still out on where he plays long term, but the rule of thumb with any strength/conditioning program is that it takes about a year to really start seeing results. I can't wait to see what he's like next year.

 

You should post more.

[P2F]

You should post more.

 

Agreed.

[Laika]

Bo 2-2 tonight already. Hitting .400 in A+ now.

 

ho hum!

[Laika]

3-3

[P2F]

Bo 2-2 tonight already. Hitting .400 in A+ now.

 

ho hum!

 

3-3

 

Damn, son!

[THANOS]

Bo 2-2 tonight already. Hitting .400 in A+ now.

 

ho hum!

 

3-3

 

Damn, son!

 

And a SB.

[metafour]

I understand there are valid concerns with his contact rate. However, Moncada is by industry consensus (not that this necessarily means a ton) the top prospect in the game, given his combination of power, speed and plate discipline at a good position. He probably has the biggest ceiling out of everyone on the list. So then to see him ranked 13th as a 22 year old who's not struggling in AAA, below several guys who have yet to even reach AA and a couple of high risk/reward pitchers seems very suspect.

 

Having the "highest ceiling" is a relative term and isn't something that you can actually measure. Several players on that list have ceilings that are obviously as high, if not higher. Tatis Jr. for example is drawing Machado comps. I don't see a problem with that Moncada placement given what he's shown and the fact that he's still largely tools-over-substance with some worrying question marks. Is he even going to be as good as Bellinger who was ranked below him and yet is already crushing MLB pitching?

[Krylian]

And a SB.

 

Call him up to Toronto. He's ready.

[metafour]

Ryan Borucki:

 

7 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 K

 

10 groundouts, 1 flyout. 94 pitches, 61 strikes.

[Angrioter]

Bo available in BBDL.

Sale, Noah, Scherzer, Kluber maybe

[metafour]

Warmoth batting 3rd for Vancouver tonight.

[THANOS]

Call him up to Toronto. He's ready.

 

If he crushes Dunedin and AA early 2018, the dude could be up next season.

[metafour]

Kevin Smith: 3 for 4, 2 doubles so far tonight. Average up to .299

 

The strikeouts are real, but the power is coming through and he's showing more Cape Cod contact than Maryland contact early.

[P2F]

Yoan Moncada will not be promoted to the White Sox on Friday.

 

Advice: The White Sox made a stir Thursday when Moncada was activated on the team's transaction log, though it was simply a clerical error. Moncada was away from the team while attending the Futures Game in Miami over the weekend but has since been activated by Triple-A Charlotte. Fantasy owners will have to wait a little bit longer for Moncada to make his White Sox debut.

More: Chris Cotillo on Twitter

Ugh.

 

[Brownie19]

Is Max catching much in these days? Any updates? Nice to see Jansen continues to hit in AA

[Abomination]

Bo available in BBDL.

Sale, Noah, Scherzer, Kluber maybe

 

What are you looking for (for any of those players)?

[P2F]

What are you looking for (for any of those players)?

 

Those are the players he wants for Bo.