Official MiLB/Prospects Thread

[Abomination]

I really hope he bounces back. I was f'n high on his hitting ability last year. All the signs seemed good. Year over year improvement, with BB%, K%, ISO improving each of the previous 3 levels. No outrageous BABIP numbers. Ok age for level.

 

Actually scouts always said there might be issues, but I really hope last year was a combo of circumstances and luck. Don't know why but I like the kid

 

I'm certainly willing to give him a mulligan last year, with all his family was going through. His mind just wasn't on baseball.

[Jimcanuck]

The comp between Ohtani, Acuna and Guerrero is skewed by Ohtani being 25 and the other guys are 5-6 yrs younger. If the rankings are based on who will give better career value, Ohtani has to drop to 3rd due to his age.

[Orgfiller]

The comp between Ohtani, Acuna and Guerrero is skewed by Ohtani being 25 and the other guys are 5-6 yrs younger. If the rankings are based on who will give better career value, Ohtani has to drop to 3rd due to his age.

 

I mean you're not entirely wrong, but Ohtani is 23 and will almost surely be making his debut in April of this year, which is a perfectly reasonable age. He has success in the second best league in the world while being very young. 23 years old and MLB ready potential ace, based on career value the only reason you'd put him behind Vladdy and Acuna is the fact that he's a pitcher and much more likely to get injured, because talent wise they're all on the same ladder step.

[Bobthe4th]

The comp between Ohtani, Acuna and Guerrero is skewed by Ohtani being 25 and the other guys are 5-6 yrs younger. If the rankings are based on who will give better career value, Ohtani has to drop to 3rd due to his age.

 

While you have a good point, Ohtani is 23.

[Krylian]

Ohtani is 23.

 

Who wants to go next...

[Bobthe4th]

Ohtani is 23.

 

Who wants to go next...

 

Jim exaggerating to try and prove a point - who could have guessed?

[Brownie19]

 

J.J. Cooper: Matt, I agree that Guerrero is the one of these three who has the highest upside. If he doesn't exhaust his prospect eligibility this season and produces the same kind of numbers in Double-A and Triple-A that he did in 2017, he could be a 75/Low or even the impossible 80/Low in our BA Grades next year. Hitters just don't do what he's done at his age. Guerrero could have a Miguel Cabrera/Albert Pujols-level impact at the plate, which makes me really care little about where he plays defensively, but his ability to stay at third base for now is a nice bonus.

 

(An aside. As great as Pujols was, his age 20 season in the low Class A Midwest League wasn't as good as Guerrero's low Class A/high Class A season as an 18-year-old. Cabrera's age 18 and age 19 seasons don't come close to comparing to Guerrero's 2017 season.)

 

 

Edited January 22, 2018 by Brownie19

[Jimcanuck]

I mean you're not entirely wrong, but Ohtani is 23 and will almost surely be making his debut in April of this year, which is a perfectly reasonable age. He has success in the second best league in the world while being very young. 23 years old and MLB ready potential ace, based on career value the only reason you'd put him behind Vladdy and Acuna is the fact that he's a pitcher and much more likely to get injured, because talent wise they're all on the same ladder step.

 

Ah my bad, thought i read somewhere today he is 25

[Spanky99]

Where did you see that he'd be considered a top 10 hitting prospect? Everything I've read has him as more of a borderline top 100 hitting prospect.

 

He's 4th in OF prospects by Callis and Mayo, really surprised me...

 

http://m.mlb.com/prospects/2017?list=of

 

List gets updated on Thursday, though.

[G-Snarls]

2018 Top 100 Prospects With Tools

January 22, 2018 By BA Staff

 

Tools are a basic building block of our coverage at Baseball America. We begin assessing players’ tools from the time they become prominent high school players, and we continue to do it through college and the minor leagues all the way to the majors. Grades listed are for each player’s projected future tools.

 

1. Ronald Acuna | OF | Braves

Hit: 60 | Power: 70 | Speed: 70 | Fielding: 70 | Arm: 60

 

2. Shohei Ohtani | RHP | Angels

Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Speed: 60 | Fielding: 50 | Arm: 70

Fastball: 80 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 60 | Chanegup: 45 | Splitter: 70

 

3. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. | 3B | Blue Jays

Hit: 80 | Power: 70 | Speed: 40 | Fielding: 40 | Arm: 55

 

 

Read more at https://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/2018-top-100-prospects-tools/#1gqfm7GywtrdtOhW.99

[jays4life19]

2018 Top 100 Prospects With Tools

January 22, 2018 By BA Staff

 

Tools are a basic building block of our coverage at Baseball America. We begin assessing players’ tools from the time they become prominent high school players, and we continue to do it through college and the minor leagues all the way to the majors. Grades listed are for each player’s projected future tools.

 

1. Ronald Acuna | OF | Braves ��

Hit: 60 | Power: 70 | Speed: 70 | Fielding: 70 | Arm: 60

 

2. Shohei Ohtani | RHP | Angels ��

Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Speed: 60 | Fielding: 50 | Arm: 70

Fastball: 80 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 60 | Chanegup: 45 | Splitter: 70

 

3. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. | 3B | Blue Jays ��

Hit: 80 | Power: 70 | Speed: 40 | Fielding: 40 | Arm: 55

 

 

Read more at https://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/2018-top-100-prospects-tools/#1gqfm7GywtrdtOhW.99

 

Did you want me to post that? lol

[John_Havok]

Chip off the old block for sure...

 

[Orgfiller]

2018 Top 100 Prospects With Tools

January 22, 2018 By BA Staff

 

Tools are a basic building block of our coverage at Baseball America. We begin assessing players’ tools from the time they become prominent high school players, and we continue to do it through college and the minor leagues all the way to the majors. Grades listed are for each player’s projected future tools.

 

1. Ronald Acuna | OF | Braves ��

Hit: 60 | Power: 70 | Speed: 70 | Fielding: 70 | Arm: 60

 

2. Shohei Ohtani | RHP | Angels ��

Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Speed: 60 | Fielding: 50 | Arm: 70

Fastball: 80 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 60 | Chanegup: 45 | Splitter: 70

 

3. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. | 3B | Blue Jays ��

Hit: 80 | Power: 70 | Speed: 40 | Fielding: 40 | Arm: 55

 

 

Read more at https://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/2018-top-100-prospects-tools/#1gqfm7GywtrdtOhW.99

 

I'm pretty skeptical on Acuna having 70 grade power. Vlad though, Jesus Christ, 80/70 is absurd.

[THANOS]

Did you want me to post that? lol

 

Please do . I want to see Bo's grades.

[Krylian]

Chip off the old block for sure...

 

 

The chip is bigger than the whole block.

[jays4life19]

Please do . I want to see Bo's grades.

 

1. Ronald Acuna | OF | Braves

Hit: 60 | Power: 70 | Speed: 70 | Fielding: 70 | Arm: 60

 

2. Shohei Ohtani | RHP | Angels

Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Speed: 60 | Fielding: 50 | Arm: 70

Fastball: 80 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 60 | Chanegup: 45 | Splitter: 70

 

3. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. | 3B | Blue Jays

Hit: 80 | Power: 70 | Speed: 40 | Fielding: 40 | Arm: 55

 

4. Eloy Jimenez | OF | White Sox

Hit: 60 | Power: 70 | Speed: 40 | Fielding: 45 | Arm: 45

 

5. Victor Robles | OF | Nationals

Hit: 60 | Power: 50 | Speed: 70 | Fielding: 60 | Arm: 60

 

6. Gleyber Torres | SS | Yankees

Hit: 60 | Power: 55 | Speed: 40 | Fielding: 60 | Arm: 60

 

7. Nick Senzel | 3B | Reds

Hit: 70 | Power: 60 | Speed: 55 | Fielding: 60 | Arm: 60

 

8. Bo Bichette | SS | Blue Jays

Hit: 70 | Power: 60 | Speed: 50 | Fielding: 45 | Arm: 60

 

9. Fernando Tatis Jr | SS | Padres

Hit: 60 | Power: 60 | Speed: 50 | Fielding: 55 | Arm: 60

 

10. Forrest Whitley | RHP | Astros

Fastball: 70 | Curveball: 60 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 55 | Cutter: 50 | Control: 55

 

ADVERTISING

 

11. Michael Kopech | RHP | White Sox

Fastball: 80 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 45

 

12. Mitch Keller | RHP | Pirates

Fastball: 70 | Curveball: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 60

 

13. Walker Buehler | RHP | Dodgers

Fastball: 70 | Curveball: 60 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 60

 

14. Brent Honeywell | RHP | Rays

Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 60 | Screwball: 70

 

15. Kyle Tucker | OF | Astros

Hit: 60 | Power: 60 | Speed: 50 | Fielding: 55 | Arm: 50

 

16. J.P. Crawford | SS | Phillies

Hit: 60 | Power: 45 | Speed: 50 | Fielding: 55 | Arm: 60

 

17. Alex Reyes | RHP | Cardinals

Fastball: 80 | Curveball: 70 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 50

 

18. Lewis Brinson | OF | Brewers

Hit: 55 | Power: 60 | Speed: 60 | Fielding: 55 | Arm: 60

 

19. Willy Adames | SS | Rays

Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Speed: 50 | Fielding: 60 | Arm: 60

 

20. Francisco Mejia | C | Indians

Hit: 60 | Power: 45 | Speed: 40 | Fielding: 50 | Arm: 80

 

21. Austin Hays | OF | Orioles

Hit: 60 | Power: 60 | Speed: 50 | Fielding: 55 | Arm: 60

 

22. Brendan Rodgers | SS | Rockies

Hit: 60 | Power: 55 | Speed: 50 | Fielding: 55 | Arm: 60

 

23. Luiz Gohara | LHP | Braves

Fastball: 80 | Slider: 70 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 45

 

24. Royce Lewis | SS | Twins

Hit: 60 | Power: 55 | Speed: 60 | Fielding: 60 | Arm: 55

 

25. Sixto Sanchez | RHP | Phillies

Fastball: 70 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: | Changeup: 60 | Control: 60

 

26. MacKenzie Gore | LHP | Padres

Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 60 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 60

 

27. Mike Soroka | RHP | Braves

Fastball: 60 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 60

 

28. Michel Baez | RHP | Padres

Fastball: 70 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 60

 

29. Hunter Greene | RHP | Reds

Fastball: 80 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 55

 

30. A.J. Puk | LHP | Athletics

Fastball: 70 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 45

 

31. Scott Kingery | 2B | Phillies

Hit: 60 | Power: 55 | Speed: 60 | Fielding: 60 | Arm: 50

 

32. Luis Urias | 2B | Padres

Hit: 70 | Power: 40 | Speed: 50 | Fielding: 55 | Arm: 55

 

33. Triston McKenzie | RHP | Indians

Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 60 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 55

 

34. Kyle Wright | RHP | Braves

Fastball: 70 | Curveball: 60 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 50

 

35. Franklin Perez | RHP | Tigers

Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 60 | Slider: 45 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 60

 

36. Willie Calhoun | OF | Rangers

Hit: 60 | Power: 60 | Speed: 30 | Fielding: 30 | Arm: 40

 

37. Alex Verdugo | OF | Dodgers

Hit: 60 | Power: 50 | Speed: 50 | Fielding: 55 | Arm: 70

 

38. Estevan Florial | OF | Yankees

Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Speed: 70 | Fielding: 60 | Arm: 70

 

39. Brendan McKay | LHP/1B | Rays

Hit: 60 | Power: 50 | Speed: 30 | Fielding: 55 | Arm: 60

Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 60 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 55

 

40. Keibert Ruiz | C | Dodgers

Hit: 60 | Power: 45 | Speed: 40 | Fielding: 55 | Arm: 50

 

41. Justus Sheffield | LHP | Yankees

Fastball: 70 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 50

 

42. Ian Anderson | RHP | Braves

Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 60 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 50

 

43. Franklin Barreto | SS | Athletics

Hit: 60 | Power: 50 | Speed: 55 | Fielding: 50 | Arm: 50

 

44. Austin Meadows | OF | Pirates

Hit: 60 | Power: 55 | Speed: 60 | Fielding: 60 | Arm: 50

 

45. Jake Bauers | 1B | Rays

Hit: 55 | Power: 55 | Speed: 50 | Fielding: 55 | Arm: 45

 

46. Jo Adell | OF | Angels

Hit: 60 | Power: 70 | Speed: 70 | Fielding: 55 | Arm: 60

 

47. Keston Hiura | 2B | Brewers

Hit: 60 | Power: 55 | Speed: 45 | Fielding: 45 | Arm: 45

 

48. Taylor Trammell | OF | Reds

Hit: 55 | Power: 60 | Speed: 60 | Fielding: 55 | Arm: 40

 

49. Jesus Sanchez | OF | Rays

Hit: 60 | Power: 55 | Speed: 55 | Fielding: 50 | Arm: 50

 

50. Alex Faedo | RHP | Tigers

Fastball: 60 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 55

 

51. Leody Taveras | OF | Rangers

Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Speed: 60 | Fielding: 60 | Arm: 60

 

52. Cal Quantrill | RHP | Padres

Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 70 | Control: 50

 

53. Jack Flaherty | RHP | Cardinals

Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 55

 

54. Austin Riley | 3B | Braves

Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Speed: 40 | Fielding: 55 | Arm: 70

 

55. Carson Kelly | C | Cardinals

Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Speed: 20 | Fielding: 70 | Arm: 60

 

56. Juan Soto | OF | Nationals

Hit: 60 | Power: 60 | Speed: 50 | Fielding: 55 | Arm: 50

 

57. Alec Hansen | RHP | White Sox

Fastball: 70 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 40 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 45

 

58. Luis Robert | OF | White Sox

Hit: 55 | Power: 60 | Speed: 70 | Fielding: 50 | Arm: 60

 

59. Miguel Andujar | 3B | Yankees

Hit: 55 | Power: 55 | Speed: 40 | Fielding: 50 | Arm: 60

 

60. Anthony Alford | OF | Blue Jays

Hit: 60 | Power: 50 | Speed: 60 | Fielding: 60 | Arm: 40

 

61. Brandon Woodruff | RHP | Brewers

Fastball: 60 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 55

 

62. Yordan Alvarez | 1B | Astros

Hit: 55 | Power: 60 | Speed: 50 | Fielding: 50 | Arm: 45

 

63. Ryan McMahon | 1B | Rockies

Hit: 60 | Power: 55 | Speed: 45 | Fielding: 50 | Arm: 55

 

64. Jorge Mateo | SS | Athletics

Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Speed: 80 | Fielding: 50 | Arm: 55

 

65. Kolby Allard | LHP | Braves

Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 60 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 60

 

66. Adrian Morejon | LHP | Padres

Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 50 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 55

 

67. Kyle Lewis | OF | Mariners

Hit: 55 | Power: 60 | Speed: 50 | Fielding: 55 | Arm: 55

 

68. Chance Sisco | C | Orioles

Hit: 60 | Power: 45 | Speed: 40 | Fielding: 50 | Arm: 50

 

69. Mitchell White | RHP | Dodgers

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

 

70. Sandy Alcantara | RHP | Marlins

Fastball: 70 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 45

 

71. Ryan Mountcastle | 3B | Orioles

Hit: 60 | Power: 60 | Speed: 45 | Fielding: 45 | Arm: 30

 

72. Max Fried | LHP | Braves

Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 60 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 45

 

73. Jon Duplantier | RHP | D’backs

Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 60

 

74. Corbin Burnes | RHP | Brewers

Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 60 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 55

 

75. Monte Harrison | OF | Brewers

Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Speed: 60 | Fielding: 55 | Arm: 60

 

76. J.B. Bukauskas | RHP | Astros

Fastball: 60 | Slider: 70 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 50

 

77. Albert Abreu | RHP | Yankees

Fastball: 70 | Curveball: 60 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 50

 

78. Matt Manning | RHP | Tigers

Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 60 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 45

 

79. Heliot Ramos | OF | Giants

Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Speed: 60 | Fielding: 55 | Arm: 55

 

80. Brett Phillips | OF | Brewers

Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Speed: 60 | Fielding: 60 | Arm: 80

 

81. Chance Adams | RHP | Yankees

Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 50

 

82. Dane Dunning | RHP | White Sox

Fastball: 60 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 55

 

83. Jay Groome | LHP | Red Sox

Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50 | Cutter: 55

 

84. Adonis Medina | RHP | Phillies

Fastball: 60 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 55

 

85. Michael Chavis | 3B | Red Sox

Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Speed: 45 | Fielding: 45 | Arm: 55

 

86. Tyler O’Neill | OF | Cardinals

Hit: 45 | Power: 70 | Speed: 50 | Fielding: 50 | Arm: 55

 

87. Jorge Guzman | RHP | Marlins

Fastball: 80 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50

 

88. Dustin Fowler | OF | Athletics

Hit: 55 | Power: 55 | Speed: 60 | Fielding: 60 | Arm: 50

 

89. Jahmai Jones | OF | Angels

Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Speed: 60 | Fielding: 55 | Arm: 50

 

90. Tyler Mahle | RHP | Reds

Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 40 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 60

 

91. Nate Pearson | RHP | Blue Jays

Fastball: 70 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 45

 

92. Brent Rooker | OF | Twins

Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Speed: 40 | Fielding: 50 | Arm: 45

 

93. Nick Gordon | SS | Twins

Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Speed: 50 | Fielding: 50 | Arm: 55

 

94. Andres Gimenez | SS | Mets

Hit: 55 | Power: 40 | Speed: 50 | Fielding: 60 | Arm: 60

 

95. Wander Javier | SS | Twins

Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Speed: 60 | Fielding: 55 | Arm: 70

 

96. Wander Franco | SS | Rays

Hit: 55 | Power: 55 | Speed: 50 | Fielding: 55 | Arm: 50

 

97. Stephen Gonsalves | LHP | Twins

Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 45 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 55

 

98. Jesse Winker | OF | Reds

Hit: 60 | Power: 45 | Speed: 45 | Fielding: 40 | Arm: 40

 

99. Riley Pint | RHP | Rockies

Fastball: 70 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 45

 

100. Adam Haseley | OF | Phillies

Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Speed: 50 | Fielding: 50 | Arm: 50

 

 

Read more at https://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/2018-top-100-prospects-tools/#kRXG2g1wy5FC5Qe7.99

[THANOS]

Thanks brother! I was hoping Bo would have a 70 hit after 2017. Hopefully it goes up after this season.

[Ray]

So Nick Senzel and Bichette’s hit tools are graded out as basically the same. Senzel was a 2nd overall pick, meanwhile Bichette went 66th overall.

 

Got me thinking: Where does Bichette go if the 2016 draft were to happen tomorrow? Does he go 1-1?

[Laika]

So Nick Senzel and Bichette’s hit tools are graded out as basically the same. Senzel was a 2nd overall pick, meanwhile Bichette went 66th overall.

 

Got me thinking: Where does Bichette go if the 2016 draft were to happen tomorrow? Does he go 1-1?

 

Probably 1-2, behind Senzel

[P2F]

Mejia's hit tool seems low at 60.

[Laika]

Damn, the O's got a huge steal in 2016 too with Austin Hays

[John_Havok]

Damian (Roanoke, VA): In the span of a year, Bo Bichette has gone from 93 to 44 to 8 on this list. Any chance he ends up the better player (not hitter) than Vlad Jr?

 

J.J. Cooper: He can play a middle infield spot and Guerrero will have to work hard to stay at third base, so it is possible. If Bichette ends up being one of the better hitters in baseball while staying up the middle, that would be a very, very valuable player.

 

Greg (Kellyville, OK): How wide was the margin between Kyle Tucker and two hitters ahead of him in Tatis Jr. and Bo? I can easily see arguments for all hitters ahead of Tucker but I am having trouble with Bo. What did Bo do that put him ahead of someone with tools and a track record like Tucker?

 

J.J. Cooper: A number of factors. One, Bichette is a middle infielder, either a shortstop or a second baseman while Tucker is a corner outfielder. Advantage: Bichette. Two, Bichette’s track record is actually at least equal if not superior to Tucker’s at this point. Yes, he’s a year younger. But compare Bichette’s rookie ball season (.427/.451/.732) to Tucker’s (.246/.294/.353). OK, compare Tucker’s first full pro season (MWL/CAL) to Bichette’s (MWL/FSL). Even without making adjustments for the better hitting conditions of the Cal League to the FSL, Bichette hit .384/.448/.623 in the MWL and .323/.379/.463 in the FSL. Tucker hit .276/.348/.402 in the MWL and .339/.435/.631 in the CAL. Tucker does have a HiA/AA year that Bichette doesn’t have yet because he was drafted one year earlier, but comparing apples to apples, at the same points in their career (half season + 1 full pro season) Bichette has more isolated power, a higher batting average and because of the higher batting average, a higher OBP. Tucker has a slightly better K-rate and walk rate. Bichette has better normalized stats as well. You can make a case for Tucker (closer to the majors, power surge in 2017) but Bichette has a lot going for him as well.

 

 

Ryan (Montreal): Never seen an 80 hit grade (with a 70 power!). What gives you so much confidence in Vlad's tools to basically classify him as one of the best offensive prospects in years?

 

Kyle Glaser: Because the scouts and pro scouting directors and general managers across the game see him as that, and every single stat metric you can dream of backs it up. If both the numbers and the reports line up, no reason to shortchange the kid. His barrel control, bat speed, plate discipline, power potential…it’s all on a level not seen in a long time from an 18 year old

 

James (Kentucky): How rare is Vlad Jr's. 80 hit tool? What other prospects have garnered an 80 hit tool?

 

Josh Norris: Without having the data at hand, I’ll go ahead and say very few. Another way of looking at it: How many 80-grade hitters are there in the major leagues? Probably less than five. That should tell you how special we think that bat could be.

 

Tommy N. (San Diego): What was the reasoning of ranking Bichette ahead of Tatis?

 

Kyle Glaser: I had Tatis one spot ahead of Bichette in my rankings. Others had them right next to each other as well. They were 2-3 in our Midwest League prospects rankings. Scouts see them and talk about them very similarly in terms of potential, the numbers on both are stellar. It’s really, really had to separate the two. Bichette’s slightly tick better pure hit potential gives him a smidgen advantage, which I can see, but I think honestly thinking about the two of them as tied for 8th is the most accurate way to see it

 

Ian (Toronto): Hype up here on Nate Pearson is through the roof. Do you think that with a longer track record he'd already be top 50? or is it just a case of over inflating our own prospects'...er... prospects?

 

Kyle Glaser: Ben Badler took care of the Jays for us this year and got scintillating reports from both opposing scouts and in-house folks who aren’t known as BSers. Pearson appears to be a steal (Note: BA had him about 15 spots higher on the BA 500 then where he was drafted), and there is a very real chance to takes off next year.

 

BK (Vancouver, BC): Is Danny Jansen just a case of "we need to see him sustain this for longer" before he's considered a prospect worthy of top 100 discussion?

 

Kyle Glaser: Yeah. This was a fantastic year, and I think it’s reasonable to expect him to continue to perform now that his vision is fixed. But in the context of the Top 100, another season of track record would help

 

Justin (Cincinnati, OH): With Vlad Jr getting an 80 grade hit tool, I was curious how many other 80 hit or power grades have been handed out over the years? And how many guys have topped the 80/70 hit/power combo of Vlad Jr?

 

Matt Eddy: This question also intrigues me, and those grades you cite for Vlad Jr. formed the backbone of my defense for him as No. 1. The most logical place to begin looking for similar grades would be Bryce Harper (60 hit, 80 power) and Mike Trout (70 hit, 65 power) in the 2012 book, but you can see we were more conservative with their grades. I spot-checked a few other high-profile prospects of the past seven years and nobody topped Vlad, who scored 150 out of a possible 160 points with his hit and power grades.

[Dr. Dinger]

Jo Adell's grades seem aggressive

[Pendleton]

Damn, the O's got a huge steal in 2016 too with Austin Hays

 

As did your DDL team

[Orgfiller]

Mejia's hit tool seems low at 60.

 

Some weird grades in there. According to them Jo Adell has all the makings of a superstar and yet he's only ranked 46.

[Laika]

As did your DDL team

 

Yeah you ppl did good. Corbin Burnes is on here too, and I turned that fat lefty into something. Still not sure who Gilbert Celestial is though.

[Jimcanuck]

80 on Reyes FB after TJ seems optimistic

[Dr. Dinger]

I kinda think an 80 hit on Vlad is too much. That's basically what like a .320 hitter throughout his prime? The discipline and walk rate should be elite, but I feel like he's not that calibre of pure hitter. Would love to be wrong, obviously. In my mind I'd project him as more along the lines of 60 hit 70-80 power with 80 plate discipline (if we graded that, which we probably should).

[Orgfiller]

I kinda think an 80 hit on Vlad is too much. That's basically what like a .320 hitter throughout his prime? The discipline and walk rate should be elite, but I feel like he's not that calibre of pure hitter. Would love to be wrong, obviously. In my mind I'd project him as more along the lines of 60 hit 70-80 power with 80 plate discipline (if we graded that, which we probably should).

 

I agree 80 might be aggressive, but by all accounts his bat control is superb, and currently the stats back that up. I think a 60 is far too low on the hit tool, conservatively he's 65-70 hit and 60-70 power, but the industry consensus and the stats do seem to point to 80/70 or 75/70 with maybe 80 raw being a realistic toolset for this kid.

[burlingtonbandit]

The hype on Vlad Jr. is out of this world.