Last week, I ranked the top 100 prospects in baseball heading into the 2020 season. Now it's time to go deeper with my team-by-team rankings, starting with the American League.
A quick refresher on a key term you'll see throughout the team lists: I use something called Future Value, shortened to FV hereafter, as a term that sums up the value of a player into one number. It's graded on the 20-80 scouting scale. A low-end everyday player is a 50, which correlates to 2.0 WAR; a well above average position player, No. 3 starter or high-end closer is a 60, or somewhere around 3.0 WAR. I refrain from tossing out an 80 on minor leaguers because that would imply one is expected to be one of the top players in baseball. Wander Franco, this year's top prospect, is the best prospect baseball has seen since Mike Trout.
In addition to the top 10 for each franchise, I rank every player with a Future Value greater than 40 for each franchise as well before summing up the best of the rest. You can see the full scouting report for the players in my top 100 list here.
And now on to my rankings:
Jump to ... AL East | AL Central | AL West
American League East
Baltimore Orioles
1. Adley Rutschman, C, 60 FV (No. 3 on the Top 100)
2. Grayson Rodriguez, RHP, 55 FV (No. 44)
3. D.L. Hall, LHP, 50 FV
4. Ryan Mountcastle, LF, 50 FV
5. Austin Hays, CF, 45 FV
6. Gunnar Henderson, 3B, 45 FV
7. Yusniel Diaz, RF, 45 FV
8. Michael Baumann, RHP, 45 FV
9. Ryan McKenna, CF, 45 FV
10. Zac Lowther, LHP, 45 FV
2020 impact: Ryan Mountcastle and Austin Hays
Ranked breakout pick: Zac Lowther
Unranked breakout pick: Adam Hall
Ranked prospects beyond the top 100: Hall still flashes three plus pitches at times, he turned 21 after the season and will get to Double-A this year; he'd be right in the thick of the top college starters in the 2020 draft if he hadn't turned pro. The issue is that the consistency of Hall's execution (both command and secondary pitch quality) still hasn't come together. Being a potential lefty starter who sits in the mid-90s and has front-line potential has him in a small group, but we're still waiting for the breakout, as he was a version of this in high school.
Mountcastle hasn't changed much since high school, either: He was seen as a free swinger with bat control and raw power who had little defensive value, more athletic in the batter's box than anywhere else. He's been compared to Nick Castellanos for a while and Mountcastle is now big-league-ready, on the left-field/first-base/designated-hitter spectrum, though he might crater quickly when his athleticism declines in his late 20s. Hays also fits in the close-to-the-majors bin, along with the swings-too-much bin and the athletic-in-the-box bin, but Hays is also capable in center field. Hays' issue has been injuries the past few years, but his raw tools (plus raw power, plus speed, plus arm, center-field fit, at least average bat control) are superlative. If he can stay healthy and make any progress, he's a solid piece for the rebuild.
I liked what Baltimore did in the 2019 draft, taking hitter after hitter to replenish a system lacking in them. Henderson was the second of seven consecutive prospect-quality hitters to lead off the draft and has a wide base of skills. He's a shortstop for now who likely slides to second or third base. He was young for his draft class, performed well and has average or better tools across the board. Diaz was the main return from the Manny Machado trade and is still mostly the same player he was then: He can hit and the rest is basically average, but 2019 was an injury-shortened year.
McKenna is a plus-plus runner who fits in center field (and can probably be passable at second base) and doesn't have much power, but enough feel to hit to be a low-end everyday piece. Baumann has benefited from some pitch design and his command has also improved, so he's now a fastball-dominant potential league-average starter rather than a potential reliever. Lowther is a lefty with deception, feel for pitching and a heater that lacks velocity (mostly 88-91 mph) but misses barrels. There isn't a plus pitch here, but everything plays average or better, so he's a likely starter, though one with small margin for error.
Others of note: SS Adam Hall has plus speed and can stick at shortstop, but the stick looks more suited to a utility role at the moment. SS Cadyn Grenier is also a plus runner who can stick at short, but he's 23 and hasn't had the offensive breakthrough that he's needed for years. 3B Rylan Bannon was another piece of the Machado deal and is in the Tommy La Stella range of a passable infield defender who can hit, probably in a part-time role. C Brett Cumberland is exactly the kind of player who could get a career from the automatic strike zone: He's got an average or better bat and power but would otherwise be a corner utility bench bat who can fill in behind the plate.
RF Kyle Stowers (big, pretty swing with raw power, decent athlete, some contact issues) and SS Darell Hernaiz (average-ish tools, later-blooming prep prospect) were the next more notable names among the other interesting bats from the 2019 draft class, along with SS Joey Ortiz, CF Zach Watson and C Maverick Handley.
RHP Dean Kremer also came over in the Machado deal, and he has solid average stuff and solid feel that can fit in multiple roles. LHP Keegan Akin is a beefy lefty with solid average stuff that's enough to start and flashes of command, but the consistency hasn't been there yet. LHP Drew Rom is another version of the softer-tossing lefty with above-average off-speed pitches and command, but he just turned 20 and possesses good fastball traits, with potential to surpass Lowther in 2020.
RHP Kyle Bradish was the best piece coming back in the trade for Dylan Bundy. His delivery looks like a reliever's delivery, but the strikes are OK and the stuff is above average, so I'll wait to see if Baltimore can clean it up some. LHP Alex Wells is a soft-tossing lefty with off-speed and command like Lowther, but there's even less velocity and swing-and-miss. Other potential 2020 MLB contributors include LHP Bruce Zimmermann (part of the Kevin Gausman deal, average-ish stuff depth lefty starter) and RHP Hunter Harvey (former first-rounder with a medical history that's about as long as "War and Peace," now a middle relief type)
Boston Red Sox
1. Jeter Downs, 2B, 50 FV (No. 50 on the Top 100)
2. Triston Casas, 1B, 50 FV (No. 57)
3. Bryan Mata, RHP, 45+ FV
4. Bobby Dalbec, 3B, 45 FV
5. Noah Song, RHP, 45 FV
6. Gilberto Jimenez, CF, 45 FV
7. Jarren Duran, CF, 45 FV
8. Thad Ward, RHP, 45 FV
9. Matthew Lugo, SS, 40+ FV
10. Cameron Cannon, 3B, 40 FV
2020 impact: Bobby Dalbec and Tanner Houck
Ranked breakout pick: Gilberto Jimenez
Unranked breakout pick: Brainer Bonaci
Ranked prospects beyond the top 100: Mata has big stuff coming from a lower slot, including a sinker up to 99 mph for a package that's reminiscent of Carlos Zambrano; he's a big guy and just an OK athlete, so command and role will always be a question. The slurve and changeup both flash above average, while the sinker won't miss a ton of bats but is effective. He's still just 20 years old, and will be a big leaguer of consequence likely by 2021, but could be a No. 3 starter or versatile multirole type. ... Dalbec also has some big tools, notably with 70-grade raw power and arm strength. He'll get a big league look in 2020 and can play at least an average third base, but his bat control is below average and his pitch selection has improved to be solid. He'll always hit for a lower average and probably hit anywhere from 15 to 30 homers, depending on playing time and contact.
Song is probably the third-best talent on this list, but his prospect value is weighed down by his commitment to the Navy. It could be completely waived by the president, but looks like it'll be 18-24 months in total. Since Song is a polished near-23-year-old, he loses some value but there's plenty of margin for error if he comes back a bit diminished: starter traits, up to 99 mph, a plus slider and above-average command, but a below-average changeup.
Jimenez, 19, is an electric 80-grade runner with a plus arm who projects as a plus defender in center field. His exit velocities are dangerously low, in part because he's a slap hitter who goes the other way a lot. Power will never be a big part of his game and his pitch selection is just OK, but his bat control is plus and he crushed a college-heavy league in 2019. Scouts and Red Sox officials rave about the makeup; ignore the power because this is a kid to bet on. ... Duran had a big swing change post-college, spreading out his stance to unlock some power, and then underwent another, lowering hands this offseason to unlock more, though he'll always be more of a table-setter. He also shifted from second base to center field in pro ball; he's a 70-grade runner who is still learning the position, but is making progress.
Ward has fastball velocity that sits in the low 90s and hits 96 mph, and he mixes in an above-average to plus slider, and he's a solid athlete; it's unclear if he'll be a long-term starter, but it's trending that way. ... Lugo is a hit-over-power shortstop with above-average speed who slipped a bit in the draft last spring in part because Puerto Rican prep prospects are harder to see than mainland ones. ... Cannon is another hit-over-power prospect from the 2019 draft with a college pedigree, with a third-base fit but no separating tool.
Others of note: The Sox system isn't especially deep with higher-level prospects, but it has plenty of solid candidates for breakouts in 2020. RHP Tanner Houck is now back to the delivery that made him a first-round pick and I think that'll work best in shorter stints where his low slot helps get plus life on a sinker up to 96 mph and a plus slider that's brutal for righties. RHP Brayan Bello was a 20-year-old in low-A last year, with a mid-3.00 xFIP, hitting 98 mph and flashing three average or above pitches. There's still nothing plus, but he has the look of a big league starter.
RHP Chih-Jung Liu signed this year for $750,000 out of Taiwan and has also been up to 98 mph at age 20, but with a plus slider and little track record of pitching since he was a primary hitter most of his amateur career. LHP Jay Groome was one of the more hyped prep arms in recent memory but injuries have undermined his pro career. The stuff is still there at times and he's healthy now, but he's Rule 5-eligible after this season, so there's some urgency for progress.
RF Nick Decker has the look of a low-end everyday right fielder, but he has had some injury and contact issues in pro ball. C Connor Wong is a versatile utility type who fits in the infield as well as behind the plate, is power-over-hit, as well as being a part of the Mookie Betts trade. SS Antoni Flores was a pick to click in 2019 that had a bit of a lost year but still has low-end everyday upside while SS Brainer Bonaci, 17, is the new hot name coming out of the DSL (70-grade arm, above-average contact skills, speed). There are two shortstops who are clearly glove-over-stick and will get big league time in 2020: C.J. Chatham (plus glove, feel for contact) and Jonathan Arauz (Rule 5 pick, hit-over-power, above-average glove).
New York Yankees
1. Jasson Dominguez, CF, 55 FV (No. 39 on the Top 100)
2. Deivi Garcia, RHP, 55 FV (No. 45)
3. Clarke Schmidt, RHP, 50 FV (No. 82)
4. Alexander Vargas, SS, 50 FV (No. 86)
5. Kevin Alcantara, CF, 50 FV
6. Oswald Peraza, SS, 45+ FV
7. Ezequiel Duran, 2B, 45+ FV
8. Estevan Florial, CF, 45 FV
9. Miguel Yajure, RHP, 45 FV
10. Luis Medina, RHP, 45 FV
11. Luis Gil, RHP, 45 FV
12. Anthony Volpe, SS, 45 FV
13. Antonio Cabello, CF, 45 FV
14. Antonio Gomez, C, 45 FV
2020 impact: Deivi Garcia and Clarke Schmidt
Ranked breakout pick: Antonio Cabello
Unranked breakout pick: Everson Pereira
Ranked prospects beyond the top 100: Alcantara is a unique prospect, standing 6-foot-5 and gifted with above-average power, speed, defense and arm strength in center field. The tools are here to hit, but he's played just nine games in the States, so it's very early. ... Peraza emerged with a better glove and power in 2019, with the same contact skills. There's everyday upside and analysts told me he's one of the best examples of advanced metrics (exit velocities, hard contact, etc.) that outpace his surface stats. ... Duran has plus raw power and knows how to get to it in games, hitting 13 homers in 66 games at age 20 in Staten Island. He plays a fine second base but otherwise has mostly average tools. ... Florial has had a number of hand injuries and strikeouts since his breakout as a prospect a few years ago. He's healthy and could emerge just as scouts might be moving on to the next shiny object.
Yajure has feel for his craft and his stuff jumped a tick from average to above, so he now looks like a high-probability starter of some quality. ... Medina has among the best stuff in the minor leagues, but terrible control. He showed great improvement at the end of 2019 and looks primed to finally break out, but he's still just 20 (having hit 96 mph at age 15). ... Gil has a big arm, starter stuff and a clean delivery but can't execute well; this just happens sometimes and it usually ends up in late-inning relief. ... Volpe was a prep teammate of Vanderbilt RHP Jack Leiter and has low-end everyday tools to go with great feel in all aspects. ... Cabello has above-average tools across the board and looked primed for a breakout in 2019, but a negative swing change and a shoulder injury held him back. ... Gomez has a true 80-grade arm, tools to stick behind the plate and a chance to be an average offensive contributor, but he's played only 15 pro games so far.
Others of note: Oswaldo Cabrera could be a low-end everyday offensive middle infielder, SS Maikol Escotto got a Martin Prado comp from a scout but he has played only in the DSL so far, CF Everson Pereira has feel and some tools but his swing got out of whack last year, LF Canaan Smith has power and patience but little speed or defense and was in low-A last year, and C Anthony Seigler also has lots of feel offensively and defensively but has been hurt all throughout pro ball. SS Josh Smith is an instinctive infielder from LSU who can hit but is fringy otherwise, while RF Ryder Green (above-average runner, plus arm, plus-plus raw power, iffy contact) and C Josh Breaux (big raw power and arm strength, iffy contact and catching) are the domestic upside bats at the lower levels; RF Anthony Garcia has 70-grade raw power who might eventually be an 80 and a classic right-field profile.
RHP Roansy Contreras looked like he might be a mid-rotation starter but now looks like more of an innings-eater, while RHP Yoendrys Gomez is a very similar prospect but had a velocity bump in 2019 to move into this range. RHP Albert Abreu has always had stuff but command that looked more suited to relief. RHP Alexander Vizcaino has a dirty changeup to go with a mid-90s fastball, but consistency has always been an issue. LHP T.J. Sikkema has a low-90s sinker, above-average slider and feel for pitching, so he's at least a matchup lefty and has a real shot to be a back-end rotation type. RHP Osiel Rodriguez is the best of the young Latin upside arms and has flashed three pitches and command above average, but had a mostly lost 2019 due to injury and velocity decline. He appears to be back to normal now.
Tampa Bay Rays
1. Wander Franco, SS, 70 FV (No. 1 on the Top 100)
2. Brendan McKay, LHP, 55 FV (No. 17)
3. Vidal Brujan, 2B, 55 FV (No. 27)
4. Josh Lowe, CF, 50 FV (No. 60)
5. Brent Honeywell Jr., RHP, 50 FV (No. 67)
6. Xavier Edwards, 2B, 50 FV (No. 71)
7. Shane McClanahan, LHP, 50 FV (No. 88)
8. Joe Ryan, RHP, 50 FV
9. Shane Baz, RHP, 50 FV
10. Randy Arozarena, CF, 50 FV
11. Ronaldo Hernandez, C, 50 FV
12. Lucius Fox, SS, 45 FV
13. Greg Jones, SS, 45 FV
14. Peter Fairbanks, RHP, 45 FV
15. Nick Schnell, CF, 45 FV
16. Taylor Walls, SS, 45 FV
17. J.J. Goss, RHP, 45 FV
2020 impact: Brendan McKay and Peter Fairbanks
Ranked breakout pick: Nick Schnell
Unranked breakout pick: Seth Johnson
Ranked prospects beyond the top 100: Ryan has plus command and a bag of grade-50 or -55 pitches. He has been so successful with a fastball-heavy approach that he's still learning a pitch mix that is best for the big leagues; he's likely to be a rotation type. ... Baz is throwing up to 100 mph to go with a plus hook and cutter, but also with a changeup and command that are below average at the moment (though with flashes of average). He's either a late-inning reliever or a big-time starter. ... Arozarena is one of many center-field options who are MLB-ready, and is above-average at everything except hitting for power. ... Hernandez is steadily improving as a receiver, but has a plus-plus arm, plus raw power and feel for contact. He still swings at too many pitches and will move to first base if catching doesn't work out.
Fox is a plus runner who can stick at shortstop and is 22 years old in Triple-A, but the power is well below average and the contact rate is just OK for this profile. ... Jones is a more dynamic version, as a 70 runner with 55 raw power, but his ability to make contact and fielding draw mixed reviews and he's 22 with no full-season experience. ... Fairbanks is a ready-now big league reliever with a fastball up to 100 mph, a plus slider and gaudy stats. ... Schnell has Josh Lowe's tool set (plus raw power, speed, arm strength) but is just 19 and has played 14 games in a full-season league. ... Walls is a "boring" player with a bag of 50- or 55-grade tools and 45-grade power, but he has excellent plate discipline, feel for the game and can play any position on the field. ... Goss is a prototypical Texas power arm at 6-foot-3 with a heater up to 96 mph, as well as a plus breaking ball and starting pitcher traits, but he just turned 19.
Others of note: 3B Kevin Padlo was part of the German Marquez deal and looked to have become a non-prospect, but reemerged in 2019 after remaking his swing and improving his plate discipline. ... RF Moises Gomez was eligible for the Rule 5 draft and wasn't picked, but mostly due to playing in Class A and hitting .220; there's still plus raw power, above-average speed and an above-average arm. ... 2B Tyler Frank isn't the most exciting prospect, with a strong hit tool next to some ordinary tools (similar to Walls), but fits at second base and was hurt most of 2019. ... C Michael Perez is 27 and barely eligible for this list, but will be the backup catcher for Tampa Bay in 2020.
The Rays have a mess of interesting middle infielders at the lower levels that I'll speed through, in order of preference: SS Abiezel Ramirez (20 years old; plus speed, arm, bat speed, still raw), SS Johan Lopez (19; big jump in 2019, late bloomer, added bulk, above-average speed, great contact ability), SS Jelfry Marte (19; plus glove, arm and speed, but limited strength, plate discipline), SS Alejandro Pie (18; 6-foot-4, plus run, arm, bat speed, only DSL experience, might shift off short, tools over skills), 2B Alberto Figuereo (19; plus runner, contact skills, similar to pre-breakout, teenage Vidal Brujan) and 2B Curtis Mead (19; Australian projection case who might end up at another position, but he's a hit-first type who performed well in 2019).
On the pitching end of things, RHP Seth Johnson is a small-school conversion arm throwing up to 98 mph along with two above-average breaking balls, above-average athleticism and starter traits. ... LHP John Doxakis was a 2019 pick out of Texas A&M with an 88-92 mph fastball, above-average slider and great feel for locating it, so he's at least a matchup lefty and might be a back-end starter, similar to Yankees 2019 SEC pick (Missouri) T.J. Sikkema. ... RHP Tanner Dodson will probably still hit some, as he's a fringe big leaguer as a tweener outfielder, but is best on the mound, where he throws into the high 90s with a power sinker as well as an above average-to-plus slider. ... LHP Anthony Banda went under the knife for Tommy John surgery as he was about to lose prospect eligibility in 2018, looking like a solid potential No. 4 starter. He returned late in 2019, but the stuff isn't all the way back yet.
Toronto Blue Jays
1. Nate Pearson, RHP, 60 FV (No. 6 on the Top 100)
2. Jordan Groshans, 3B, 50 FV (68)
3. Simeon Woods Richardson, RHP, 50 FV (70)
4. Alek Manoah, RHP, 45+ FV
5. Alejandro Kirk, C, 45+ FV
6. Gabriel Moreno, C, 45 FV
7. Orelvis Martinez, SS, 45 FV
8. Anthony Kay, LHP, 45 FV
9. Miguel Hirado, 3B, 45 FV
10. Thomas Hatch, RHP, 45 FV
2020 impact: Nate Pearson and Anthony Kay
Ranked breakout pick: Orelvis Martinez
Unranked breakout pick: Dasan Brown
Ranked prospects beyond the top 100: Manoah was the Jays' first-round pick (11th overall) in 2019 and should move up reasonably fast due to his mid-90s velocity and 65-grade slider. He commands that slider very well and is a great competitor, so he shouldn't have much trouble in 2020 at Class A as a 22-year-old, but his fastball command and changeup lag a bit at the moment, so there's some relief risk. ... Kirk is an oddity in that almost no one else of note in professional baseball looks like him: He's listed at 5-foot-9, 220 pounds, but he's well over 250. He has great feel for contact at the plate (yes, it's feeling like Willians Astudillo so far) and sneaky power, but there's real concern his passable defense will regress if and when his body or athleticism backs up any more. ... Moreno is a more conventional catcher, though a bit on the small side. He's a solid to average defender who should be able to stick behind the plate despite being new to the position while he's a contact-oriented hitter with marginal in-game power at this point.
Martinez has electricity in his hands, with plus bat speed that will eventually create plus raw power, but he's only played one pro season while his contact ability and eventual position, while both showing positive flashes, are unclear. ... Kay was overworked at UConn and had Tommy John before his pro career started, then was traded to the Jays in the Marcus Stroman deal. He's a hefty lefty with a bag of 50s and 55s for grades that probably fit at the back of a rotation. ... Hiraldo has a unique hand path in his swing, but has good feel and a group of above-average tools (bat control, raw power, arm strength) that might allow his aggressive approach to profile everyday at third base. ... Cubs castoff Hatch has slowly but effectively developed three 55-grade pitches -- a low-90s, high-spin heater, (new) cutter and changeup -- to go with solid command to profile as a back-end type (or versatile reliever), despite being 25 and not having reached Triple-A yet.
Others of note: CF Dasan Brown was one of the youngest players in the 2019 draft, which is a positive indicator of potential; having some contact skills and 80 speed helps, too. RF Griffin Conine is the son of Jeff, and his balanced offensive profile leading into his draft years has shifted to a power-focused approach. He was suspended for a stimulant last year but also hit 22 homers in 80 games. He has 65-grade raw power, good for 25-30 homers if he can get to it in games, but he's old for the level and strikes out a lot.
Currently SS Leonardo Jimenez can hit and play shortstop, but doesn't have much in the way of secondary skills, so he looks like a utility guy. SS Kevin Smith is also a likely utility guy, but with louder tools (above average raw power and speed) to go with fringy contact. C Riley Adams is a big catcher with plus raw power and an above-average arm, but the rest is below average, limiting him to backup duty while C Reese McGuire is an above-average defender with contact skills and no power. SS Rikelvin de Castro was the Jays' top international signing in 2019 and stands out for his above average-to-plus speed, defense and arm strength with some offensive potential.
RHP Kendall Williams is a big (6-foot-6) prep projection case who was picked in the second round in 2019. He was dealing fastballs up to 96 mph and flashed three average-to-above pitches in high school, but with a delivery that needs some work. RHP Adam Kloffenstein is a prep arm who looked ticketed for a velocity spike after the 2018 draft, but it hasn't come yet, so he looks more like a depth starter with solid stuff rather than a fireballer. RHP Eric Pardinho would have been higher on this list a few months back, but he just had Tommy John surgery in February. The hype for the heralded Brazilian righty outstripped his mostly average stuff, but he knows how to pitch. RHP T.J. Zeuch has always been a sinker-reliant pitcher who racks up ground balls but probably can't be any more than a back-end starter, though he has already pitched 22⅔ big league innings.
American League Central
Chicago White Sox
1. Luis Robert, CF (No. 5 in the Top 100)
2. Michael Kopech, RHP (16)
3. Andrew Vaughn, 1B (32)
4. Nick Madrigal, 2B (47)
5. Jonathan Stiever, RHP, 45 FV
6. Luis Gonzalez, RF, 45 FV
7. Dane Dunning, RHP, 45 FV
8. Zack Collins, 1B, 40+ FV
9. Luis Alexander Basabe, CF, 40+ FV
10. Micker Adolfo, RF, 40+ FV
2020 impact: Luis Robert and Michael Kopech
Ranked breakout pick: Micker Adolfo
Unranked breakout pick: Benyamin Bailey
Ranked prospects beyond the top 100: Stiever took a big step forward in 2019, with a velocity spike running his heater up to 97 mph, and the new arm speed improving his slider to a consistently above-average pitch. He has good feel to pitch but no true plus pitch, so he profiles as a league-average starter. Gonzalez is a tweener defensively with average-ish tools across the board, and this usually ends up as a fourth outfielder or platoon type. Dunning will return from Tommy John surgery this year and, before that, was a bit better than Stiever, somewhere around the fringes of the top 100, with a low-90s fastball and above-average off-speed stuff, command and athleticism.
Collins is a first base/DH fit and has 70 raw power and 80 pitch selection, so he'll get to walks and power but not much else; he's an emergency-only catcher for me. Basabe is also a bit of a tweener like Gonzalez despite plus speed, as his instincts aren't great and he's a late-count hitter like Collins, but without much lift. He's a reserve type unless he can make real improvements. Adolfo has had huge, 70-grade raw power for years, but has been injured numerous times. His athleticism and contact ability are backing up as he leans into his power to where he projects as more of a one-dimensional bench bat right now.
Others of note: RHP Codi Heuer's stuff has played up moving to the bullpen in pro ball, spending half the year in Double-A in his first full season. RHP Matthew Thompson (solid athlete in the mid-90s, fourth-starter profile, plateaued a bit after emerging early in high school) and RHP Andrew Dalquist (popped up in the spring, hit 95 mph, is more of a curveball/command-type starting prospect) were the two overslot prep arms in the 2019 draft class for Chicago. LHP Konnor Pilkington is a big lefty with average stuff and above-average feel that fits at the back of a rotation, but with little margin for error in development.
RHP Tyler Johnson is a typical power fastball-slider reliever who could be a setup type. RHP Jimmy Lambert has solid average stuff and knows how to deploy it to fill a back-end starter or swing reliever role. RHP Alec Hansen has a long injury history and has moved to the bullpen after, for a short period, looking like a potential top-five overall pick at Oklahoma. RHP Zack Burdi's velocity is back in the mid-90s after elbow surgery, but he's more of a middle reliever than the top-shelf closer he looked like pre-surgery.
LF Blake Rutherford is yet another upper-level outfield prospect with pedigree who is stalling out with a fourth outfielder look to him. SS Yolbert Sanchez is the latest example of the international program's obsession with Cuban players. He's already 22 years old and will make his pro debut this spring but looks like a utility type to rival scouts. 1B Gavin Sheets has big raw power but isn't getting to it regularly enough to be more than a platoon type. There's some exciting power at the lower levels in the form of RF Benyamin Bailey (18; good approach, big power projection), 3B D.J. Gladney (18; young for the 2019 draft class, might be 70-grade raw power) and RF Bryce Bush (19; cold-weather prep product moved from third base, has easy plus raw power).
Cleveland Indians
1. Nolan Jones, 3B, 55 FV (No. 22 on the Top 100)
2. George Valera, RF, 50 FV (81)
3. Tyler Freeman, SS, 50 FV (91)
4. Brayan Rocchio, SS, 50 FV
5. Bo Naylor, C, 50 FV
6. James Karinchak, RHP, 45+ FV
7. Triston McKenzie, RHP, 45 FV
8. Emmanuel Clase, RHP, 45 FV
9. Daniel Espino, RHP, 45 FV
10. Logan Allen, LHP, 45 FV
11. Daniel Johnson, CF, 45 FV
2020 impact: Logan Allen
Ranked breakout pick: Bo Naylor
Unranked breakout pick: Eli Morgan
Ranked prospects beyond the top 100: Rocchio is a plus runner with plus bat control and an above-average glove at shortstop, all as an 18-year-old who signed two years ago for a lower six-figure bonus. Due to his size and lack of power, there isn't traditional upside, but sometimes (like Jose Ramirez), players with elite feel and good tools figure out how to be elite players. Naylor is the younger brother of Padres OF Josh and has all the makings of an everyday catcher. He's a solid athlete who is solid behind the plate, but that's the weakest part of his profile. Some teams liked Naylor pre-draft at third base so they could move his bat along more quickly; there's plus raw power and a chance for at least average contact skills. Karinchak is a pretty straightforward prospect: He's an MLB-ready reliever with great whiff rates on a high-spin, upper-90s fastball and a plus slider, but he only sometimes knows where they're going.
McKenzie was a top-100 type, then he missed all of 2019 with a back strain. He has a plus fastball, curveball and command when he's right, so the medical issues push him more to a back-end type starter until we see how he bounces back. Clase was the centerpiece of the Corey Kluber deal and would also be higher if he wasn't just diagnosed with a back strain that will keep him out for two to three months. His velocity sits at 99 mph with a true 80 fastball that has some cut, along with a cutter and true slider. Like Karinchak, the command is just OK, but the whiffs are gaudy like the stuff. Espino has some of the biggest stuff from a prep prospect in recent memory (up to 100 mph, plus slider), though some teams are worried it will lead to injuries or the bullpen since he's a bit stiff. Allen has solid/average stuff and solid feel, so he's likely a back-end type lefty. Johnson is a bit stiff at the plate but has big tools (80 arm, 70 speed, 55 raw power) so he's a low-end regular or a strong reserve.
Others of note: RHP Eli Morgan draws huge whiff rates with his 70-grade changeup and plus command, so he's a solid innings-eater if nothing else, but he could follow the Bieber plan with a velocity spike. RHP Ethan Hankins' body composition took a step backward in 2019, but he's still throwing in the mid-90s complemented by average off-speed stuff and starter traits. RHP Carlos Vargas has gaudy stuff (mid-90s heat, plus-flashing breaker), but his arm action, command and consistency suggest he will end up in the bullpen. LHP Scott Moss was acquired in the Trevor Bauer/Yasiel Puig deal and has good vertical movement on his heater and an average slider and changeup, so he can fit in multiple roles and should get a 2020 big league look. LHP Sam Hentges is 6-foot-8 and throws into the mid-90s to go with an above-average breaking ball, so with two healthy seasons post-Tommy John surgery behind him he could also fit in a few roles at the big league level. RHP Lenny Torres is a plus athlete with plus velocity and a plus-flashing slider, but had Tommy John surgery in 2019. RHP Nick Sandlin is another big league-inventory type who can go multiple innings, but he's a sidearmer with a plus slider and great command as headliners in a three-pitch mix.
SS Yu Chang is a power-over-hit utility type who is fine at shortstop, but probably not on an everyday basis. RF Will Benson is 6-foot-5 with massive tools who drew Jason Heyward comps early in high school (70 raw power, 70 arm, 55 speed) and he's now in the heavily three-true-outcomes territory as a late-count slugger. The Indians have a slew of talented young infielders from their international program who have yet to separate themselves like Rocchio. SS Gabriel Rodriguez probably slides over to third and has big bat speed but some contact risk due to his approach. SS Junior Sanquintin is from the same signing class and has a much better chance to stay at shortstop, but also has some hit-tool risk. 2B Aaron Bracho has posted big numbers first from this group, but is maxed out physically, is more of a left fielder for some scouts and doesn't hit the ball very hard right now. SS Angel Martinez isn't huge but has explosion in the batter's box and at shortstop, but has played only in the DSL and is pretty raw. SS Jose Fermin and SS Jose Tena are both high-contact types who can play shortstop, with Fermin having a better approach but neither having much chance for power.
Detroit Tigers
1. Matt Manning, RHP, 60 FV (No. 13)
2. Casey Mize, RHP, 60 FV (No. 14)
3. Riley Greene, RF, 50 FV (No. 51)
4. Tarik Skubal, LHP, 50 FV (No. 79)
5. Isaac Paredes, 3B, 50 FV
6. Joey Wentz. LHP, 45 FV
7. Wenceel Perez, SS, 45 FV
8. Alex Faedo, RHP, 45 FV
9. Daz Cameron, CF, 45 FV
10. Parker Meadows, CF, 45 FV
2020 impact: Matt Manning and Casey Mize
Ranked breakout pick: Parker Meadows
Unranked breakout pick: Bryant Packard
Ranked prospects beyond the top 100: Paredes can really hit and has the arm to play anywhere, but the athleticism, glove, speed and in-game power are all below average, so he's more of a low-end regular for me. Wentz has shown a couple of different versions over the years but seems to have settled as a changeup/command-focused back-end starter. Perez can hit and play shortstop with some speed and feel for the game. The power is lacking, but there are elements for a low-end regular.
Faedo's lack of athleticism and extension have always been concerns for me, but his command and velocity bounced back in 2019 and his slider has always been plus; he now looks like a solid back-end starter. Cameron (Daz is the son of Mike and was acquired in the Justin Verlander deal) looked like an elite prospect early in his prep career, but he's settled in as a fringe-regular type with average-ish tools. Meadows (brother of Austin) has big tools (70 runner, 60 raw power, arm) but hasn't figured out how to tap into these at the plate; without a breakthrough, it probably plays something like Brad Zimmer going forward.
Others of note: RHP Franklin Perez has mid-rotation projection when he's healthy, but it's been a while since that's been the case for an extended period. RHP Alex Lange was acquired in the Nick Castellanos deal and is a (plus) breaking ball-reliant arm who likely fits best in relief. RHP Zack Hess showed two plus pitches (fastball and curveball) in high school and early at LSU, but the stuff tailed off in a starting role; it's back now in a relief role. RHP Beau Burrows has been a bit of a disappointment the past few years, with stuff trending down to about average and some injuries in the mix; he's a depth starter-type now.
3B Nick Quintana was on the national amateur circuit for four to five years. There's some stiffness to his swing, but there's raw power to compensate and he can play second or third base well. LF Bryant Packard was banged up in his draft year, but looks to be notably better already in pro ball. He projects for solid average offense that could be a low-end everyday option. RF Jose De La Cruz was a seven-figure signing from the Dominican and has big raw power and a right-field profile, but he's played only in the DSL so far.
SS Willi Castro is a big league-ready, free-swinging shortstop who fits in a utility role. C Jake Rogers also came over in the Verlander deal and is a defense-over-offense backup catcher, but automatic strike-calling could hurt his value significantly. 3B Adinso Reyes likely slides over to the hot corner, but has solid-average tools and some feel, another solid find from an international department increasingly fishing (and doing well) in seven-figure waters.
Kansas City Royals
1. Bobby Witt Jr., SS, 55 FV (No. 24 on the top 100)
2. Daniel Lynch, LHP, 50 FV (59)
3. Kris Bubic, LHP, 50 FV
4. Jackson Kowar, RHP, 50 FV
5. Brady Singer, RHP, 45+ FV
6. Kyle Isbel, RF, 45 FV
7. Erick Pena, RF, 45 FV
8. Khalil Lee, RF, 45 FV
9. Austin Cox, LHP, 45 FV
10. Daryl Collins, LF, 45 FV
2020 impact: Brady Singer
Ranked breakout pick: Erick Pena
Unranked breakout pick: Tyler Zuber
Ranked prospects beyond the top 100: Bubic is a pitchability lefty, but his velocity jumped from 87-91 mph pre-draft to 90-93 in 2019, so his breaking ball went from a 50-grade to a 55 with the added arm speed. Pairing those with his 60-grade changeup and above-average command looks more like a savvy fourth starter than a "can he get away with a 35-grade fastball?" type fifth or sixth starter. Kowar is throwing up to 98 mph and has a plus changeup to go with solid control, but his breaking ball is just fine, his command is a little better and his fastball isn't a whiff-inducing four-seamer, so he's also more of a league-average starter prospect. Singer is now throwing the changeup he didn't really throw in college, and some teams are still turned off by his arm action and what it could mean for his durability. He has three solid/average pitches and above-average command, but none of them are go-to pitches to miss barrels in the big leagues, so the upside is a little lower than the other college arms here.
Isbel is an outfield tweener with average tools who had an unlucky BABIP in 2019 but profiles as a solid MLB contributor. Pena was the best of the non-historic talents (Dominguez/Yankees and Puason/A's) in the most recent international class and has explosive tools; average-to-plus across the board at age 16, with bat speed and raw power projection as the best. Lee is either a solid platoon corner outfielder or a low-end regular: He has the approach, athleticism and power, but hasn't quite put it all together. Cox has the four-seam, rising life on his low-90s heater to induce whiffs and an above-average curveball to fit in any role. He looked like a reliever when he went in the fifth round in 2018 out of Mercer, but the starter traits are coming along, so he isn't that far behind the early college pitcher picks. Collins signed out of the Netherlands and debuted in the AZL as a 17-year-old to shockingly good reviews. He's a corner profile toolswise with an arm for left field, but his raw power projects to be plus while his in-game hitting ability and approach were much better than expected.
Others of note: C M.J. Melendez has fallen into the area I feared he would as a high schooler: athletic defender with raw power whose big hand load at the plate undermines all of the tools. SS Brady McConnell has had tools (plus runner, 55 raw power, SS fit) since early in his prep career but didn't perform until his draft year at Florida. I've never fully believed and the strikeout rate in his pro debut underlines the need for an offensive adjustment. SS Wilmin Candelario is still just 18 and is a solid runner who can play shortstop, with some feel to lift the ball, but likely at the cost of below-average contact. 1B Nick Pratto was an elite two-way prep prospect who has been just a hitter in pro ball and looked like Todd Helton when it was going well. The strikeout rate keeps climbing and the power is down, so it's not going well right now. RF Seuly Matias has 80-grade power and got to it in games in 2018, hitting 31 homers in low-A at age 19. Athletically, he's trending down a bit and his strikeout rate jumped to 44% in 2019 at high-A while the power cratered. Matias is another toolsy, upside prospect who needs to turn things around.
RHP Tyler Zuber has been a nice surprise in the spring as a 5-foot-11 righty throwing into the mid-90s along with a solid breaking ball. He has been in the bullpen his whole pro career and might earn a 2020 big league look. RHP Yefri Del Rosario is a lower-slot righty who is throwing into the mid-90s with a fastball and a two-plane breaker that are above-average pitches that fit in any role. The feel and changeup are coming along enough to give him a shot to stick as a starter. RHP Jonathan Bowlan is a beefy 6-foot-6 who gets into the mid-90s with a sinker, an above-average slider and strong strike-throwing, though he profiles as more of a back-end, innings-eating type.
Minnesota Twins
1. Royce Lewis, CF, 60 FV (No. 15 on the top 100)
2. Jhoan Duran, RHP, 50 FV (54)
3. Trevor Larnach, RF, 50 FV (58)
4. Alex Kirilloff, 1B, 50 FV (63)
5. Jordan Balazovic, RHP, 50 FV (93)
6. Ryan Jeffers, C, 45+ FV
7. Gilberto Celestino, CF, 45 FV
8. Lewis Thorpe, LHP, 45 FV
9. Matt Wallner, RF, 45 FV
2020 impact: Lewis Thorpe
Ranked breakout pick: Matt Wallner
Unranked breakout pick: Matt Canterino
Ranked prospects beyond the top 100: Jeffers is about as big as a regular catcher can be (6-foot-4, 230 pounds) but has improved to be fine back there. His contact ability is a bit better than expected and he's gotten to his 55-grade raw power quicker than expected coming out of UNC Wilmington, so he's now on a trajectory for an automatic strike-calling-friendly backstop. Celestino was most notable both as an amateur and today as a plus runner and plus defender in center field with a plus arm. Those are still the carrying tools, but his offensive ability has outpaced expectations and the regular upside is clear. Thorpe, the Aussie lefty, underwent Tommy John surgery in 2015 but has rebounded to have a low-90s four-seamer that works well up in the zone, paired with an above-average hook. He's a depth starter who should get some 2020 big league looks but could easily work in relief if needed. Wallner has 30-homer power and the pitch selection to get to it, but had an injury shortened draft year at Southern Miss. He's a breakout pick to mash against Class A pitching this year.
Others of note: 2B Jose Miranda can also play third base, has above-average contact skills and sneaky power to help him profile as a low-end regular. 3B Keoni Cavaco was a 2019 overdraft at 13th overall due to his age (young for the class) and power/speed combo (both currently or project to plus), but his track record, swing mechanics and pro debut all left something to be desired. It could still work, but might take a while. LF Misael Urbina was a big-money international signing who is an outfield tweener with great feel to hit; he just needs experience to climb the list. SS Wander Javier was a top-of-the-class international signee who has had a lot of injuries and strikeout problems in pro ball, but still has those big tools from his amateur days: above average-to-plus bat speed, raw power, running speed and arm strength. 2B Yunior Severino is still just 20 years old and has electricity in his hands, but was injured in 2019 and still hasn't figured out how to get that horsepower into games consistently. 1B Brent Rooker has 70-grade raw power and mostly gets to it in games, but is likely a part-time player because he's 25 with no defensive value and lots of strikeouts.
RHP Matt Canterino was a slightly out-of-control power arm who had been delivering up to 97 mph with a plus slider and OK strikes, then dialed it down in 2019 at Rice and was less effective but threw more strikes. Here's to hoping he goes back to the high-octane stuff and Minnesota finds a role for it. RHP Cole Sands has three above-average-to-plus pitches and flashes the command to start, but is constantly hurt. RHP Edwar Colina is a power-only fastball-slider type reliever who moved to the bullpen full time late in 2019 and should get a big league look in 2020.
American League West
Houston Astros
1. Forrest Whitley, RHP, 55 FV (No. 25 in the Top 100)
2. Jose Urquidy, RHP, 50 FV (100)
3. Abraham Toro, 3B, 45 FV
4. Hunter Brown, RHP, 45 FV
5. Freudis Nova, SS, 45 FV
6. Bryan Abreu, RHP, 45 FV
7. Brandon Bielak, RHP, 45 FV
8. Korey Lee, C, 45 FV
2020 impact: Jose Urquidy and Forrest Whitley
Ranked breakout pick: Hunter Brown
Unranked breakout pick: Jeremy Pena
Ranked prospects beyond the top 100: Toro already has some big league time and can passably play all four corner spots. He's a strong athlete who is a little stiff, but his offense plays around average and his plus arm fits anywhere. Brown was a second-round talent who slipped to the fifth round in 2019 due to being from a Division II school and getting some bad draft-day advice. His pro surface stats are just OK, but teams are excited due to the underlying metrics: fastball velocity that sits mid-90s, a slider that flashes plus, his feel for it is advanced, starter traits. Nova is a bit of a free swinger but young enough that he can still improve. The good stuff here is rare and loud: plus bat speed, potential plus power, shortstop fit, plus arm. Abreu also got a 2019 big league look and has a mid-90s heater and a plus hook but reliever command. Bielak is a starter, but he's more of a back-end type since his fastball plays about average; the curveball is his go-to pitch. Lee was a late pop-up prospect in 2019 out of Cal and has everyday potential due to his across-the-board athleticism.
Others of note: RHP Cristian Javier throws a kitchen sink's worth of solid-average stuff at hitters with feel for how to best use his stuff, but isn't a textbook starter or reliever. RHP Jairo Solis had a late 2018 Tommy John surgery but flashed three plus pitches before that; there's still big upside here if it all comes back and the command progresses. The Houston system has a glut of very similar hard-throwing reliever-type righties that often signed for small bonuses via its bulk-shopping international process: Enoli Paredes, Jojanse Torres, Luis Garcia, Jose Rivera, Manny Ramirez and Carlos Sanabria are among the best of the bunch. RHP Tyler Ivey is a domestic version of that cadre of talent and Venezuelan RHP Angel Macuare is a more starter-looking type.
SS Jeremy Pena was a glove-only small-school prospect from Maine and his best tool is still his glove, but the offense is coming, even if there isn't big over-the-fence power. CF Colin Barber is a 2019 draftee with plus speed and average-ish other tools, while CF Jordan Brewer is a 2019 draftee with contact issues but loud other tools (70 runner, 60 arm, 60 raw power). Two middle infielders to keep an eye on are 2B Luis Santana (hit-first player, limited other tools) and 2019 draftee SS Grae Kessinger (glove over offense, average-ish tools, could be a swing/approach adjustment candidate).
Los Angeles Angels
1. Jo Adell, LF, 60 FV (No. 10 in the Top 100)
2. Brandon Marsh, CF, 55 FV (27)
3. Jordyn Adams, CF, 50 FV (76)
4. Jeremiah Jackson, 3B, 45 FV
5. Jahmai Jones, 2B, 45 FV
6. Kyren Paris, SS, 40+ FV
7. Patrick Sandoval, LHP, 40+ FV
8. Chris Rodriguez, RHP, 40+ FV
9. Jose Soriano, RHP, 40+ FV
10. D'Shawn Knowles, CF, 40 FV
2020 impact: Jo Adell and Patrick Sandoval
Ranked breakout pick: Jordyn Adams
Unranked breakout pick: William Holmes
Ranked prospects beyond the top 100: Jackson has a mess of above-average tools and opted for a more power-focused approach in 2019, which worked to the tune of 23 homers in 65 games. He lasted until the 57th pick in 2018 due to an eye issue that was diagnosed in his draft spring, when he faced weak pitching, so scouts didn't know if the improvement was real. Jones has had a number of swing adjustments in the past year or two, which have affected his numbers, but he's still a plus runner with contact skills and some raw power. Paris is a raw tools bet -- plus speed, a plus arm, chance to play shortstop, power potential -- who was rumored to be a first-round target for a few teams, but the Angels scooped him up in the second round last summer.
Sandoval is an off-speed-heavy lefty with a plus hook who can work in multiple roles and will get another MLB look in 2020. Rodriguez has mid stuff (a mid-90s heater and plus breaker) that looked like it might work in a starting role until injuries cropped up, so now it will likely be used in shorter stints. Soriano was throwing into the high 90s at age 20 with starter traits, but had Tommy John surgery last month. Knowles is a plus-plus runner with feel in center field and power potential, but he's still dialing in the offensive approach.
Others of note: SS Arol Vera is the Angels' top international signing in 2019, a lanky 6-foot-2 shortstop with projection and feel for the game. CF Trent Deveaux, like Knowles, is Bahamian, has plus-plus speed with power potential and feel in center field. Deveaux is a year older and hasn't gotten out of the short-season leagues as he continues to try to find game production and swing mechanics to stick with. SS Livan Soto is a plus runner with a plus glove at short and plus bat control, but very little power, which limits his upside. RF Alexander Ramirez is a 17-year-old, seven-figure international signing from 2018 with plus raw power projection and a plus arm, but some work to do in the contact department.
RHP Jack Kochanowicz was a third-round pick out of a Pennsylvania high school in 2019. He's 6-foot-6, runs his heater up to 94 mph and flashes a plus curveball to go with starter traits, but profiles as a back-end rotation type. RHP William Holmes is a silky-smooth athlete who is raw but with starting pitcher upside on the mound (three pitches and command that flash average or better) and pro-level ability in the outfield (he played both ways in 2018 and 2019). RHP Hector Yan is a 20-year-old power lefty with three above-average-flashing pitches, headlined by a heater thrown up to 96 mph. His command is below average now and his consistency comes and goes, but there's some funk that allows his stuff to play up. RHP Stiward Aquino is 6-foot-6 and throws up to 96 mph with three above-average-flashing pitches, but also will turn 21 this year and hasn't been out of short-season leagues yet due to his 2018 Tommy John surgery.
Oakland Athletics
1. Jesus Luzardo, LHP, 60 FV (4)
2. A.J. Puk, LHP, 60 FV (20)
3. Sean Murphy, C, 50 FV (61)
4. Robert Puason, SS, 45+ FV
5. Jorge Mateo, SS, 45 FV
6. Logan Davidson, SS, 45 FV
7. Nick Allen, SS, 45 FV
8. Daulton Jefferies, RHP, 40+ FV
9. Jordan Diaz, 3B, 40+ FV
10. Brayan Buelvas, CF, 40 FV
2020 impact: Jesus Luzardo and A.J. Puk
Ranked breakout pick: Roberto Puason
Unranked breakout pick: Alex Pantuso
Ranked prospects beyond the top 100: Puason was seen as one of the top international talents in years when he was first getting scouted around age 13. Eventually, Yankees signee Jasson Dominguez surpassed him in the 2019 signing class, but Puason was still a strong second option. He flashes above-average-to-plus tools across the board and will make his pro debut in 2020. Mateo has had huge tools for years (80 speed, 55 raw power, 55 arm) and driven scouts nuts with inconsistent looks. He's solid at shortstop but makes mental errors and is also out of options this year, so there's a shot he plays some second base and center field.
Davidson has above-average raw power, speed and arm strength to go with a shortstop fit, but hasn't made enough contact for scouts to fully buy in. He had a solid, contact-oriented pro debut and could be an offensive adjustment away from breaking out. Allen has a lower upside due to his 5-foot-9 stature and limited power, but he's an elite defender at shortstop and is growing into a solid offensive approach. Jefferies looked to be finally breaking through with his plus stuff and starter feel, but this weekend walked off the mound with a biceps strain and is awaiting MRI results. He's still top-10 in this system with that in mind because he's so good when he's on the mound, which hasn't been often.
Colombian-born Diaz has above-average raw power, strong contact skills and a third-base fit. After a strong 2019, he's ready for low-A at age 19 and is a strong breakout candidate. Buelvas is another Colombian-born teenager standing out early in his career. He's got 50- or 55-grade tools across the board and advanced feel while still just 17.
Others of note: LHP Alex Pantuso was a 2018 31st-rounder from Division II Slippery Rock, and then the 6-foot-6 lefty's stuff spiked in 2019, throwing up to 96 mph as well as a slider flashing plus. He's 24 and hasn't been to a full-season league yet, but the stuff is enough that he could move quickly in the pen. RHP James Kaprielian joins Jefferies on the list of talented-but-oft-injured pitchers for Oakland; he'll make the big leagues and flashes big stuff, but I'd like to see a healthy half-season before I get excited. RHP Tyler Baum regained his best prep stuff down the stretch before the draft in 2019, so he could slice through Class A this year. RHP Grant Holmes still has the power stuff that made him a first-round pick, but when he gets to the big leagues, he'll likely fit best in relief.
3B Sheldon Neuse is MLB-ready with plus raw power and a power-over-hit approach. CF Austin Beck was a risky pick in the top 10 with no summer experience but massive tools, and his pro performance hasn't yet matched the hype. SS Johnny Eierman is good enough at shortstop and has plus raw power along with a plus arm, but still swings and misses enough to profile more as a utility guy for now. LF Lazaro Armenteros had a mini-media frenzy around his free agency and had tools to justify it: plus raw power, plus speed and plus bat speed. His instincts and arm limit him to left field, and his strikeout rate ballooned to 42% in high-A in 2019, though he was a teenager for some of that season.
C Jonah Heim is a solid but not spectacular catcher who has taken a step forward in his two years with Oakland; he could get a big league look in 2020. CF Luis Barrera is a plus runner, fielder and thrower who is putting the ball in play enough to be a big league contributor. CF Marcus Smith is a great athlete with 70-grade speed that had a deceptively good (check out the BABIP) pro debut.
Seattle Mariners
1. Julio Rodriguez, RF, 60 FV (No. 9 in the Top 100)
2. Jarred Kelenic, RF, 60 FV (12)
3. Logan Gilbert, RHP, 50 FV (52)
4. Evan White, 1B, 50 FV (64)
5. Noelvi Marte, SS, 50 FV
6. George Kirby, RHP, 45+ FV
7. Justin Dunn, RHP, 45+ FV
8. Kyle Lewis, RF, 45 FV
9. Cal Raleigh, C, 45 FV
10. Brandon Williamson, LHP, 45 FV
2020 impact: Evan White and Kyle Lewis
Ranked breakout pick: George Kirby
Unranked breakout pick: Joey Gerber
Ranked prospects beyond the top 100: Marte is a plus runner who can stick at shortstop and has the tools for an average or better hit and power tools. It's exciting, but he's also just 18 and has played just one year in the DSL, so it's very early. Kirby stands out for his fastball that was thrown up to 97 mph in college and how he commands it. His three off-speed pitches are all around average, but his curveball can flash better. Early spring reports have his velocity sitting a couple of ticks higher, so there's helium here. He's a safe bet to be a big league starter of some sort. Dunn is a solid big league inventory arm in the short term who profiles as a fourth-starter type with an above-average four-pitch mix and about average command.
Lewis tore his ACL just after going 11th overall in 2016 and he has lost a step since then but still has explosive plus raw power and bat speed. He'll still swing through hittable pitches, but is now in the big league mix and will have to refine his offensive approach against elite pitching. Raleigh has above-average raw power and arm strength, with enough contact and defensive skills to allow those tools to play. It may not sound exciting, but a potential everyday catcher is tough to find. Williamson dropped to the 59th pick last summer out of TCU due to his stuff tailing off late, with hip surgery in his rear view. The stuff ticked up in pro ball (91-94 mph), and when it's right he has solid/average stuff and starter traits, coming from a 6-foot-6 frame.
Others of note: LHP Justus Sheffield will get a look in the big league rotation this year and has switched to a two-seam fastball, giving him a sinker/slider type approach. There's enough for a league-average starter, but his stint in Triple-A last year was a disaster. RHP Joey Gerber should get a 2020 big league look and is a lower-slot righty reliever with funk, a mid-90s sinker and an above-average-to-plus slider. RHP Isaiah Campbell had durability concerns due to missing his sophomore year at Arkansas in 2017 with an arm injury, but bounced back well enough to go 76th overall in 2019. He has above-average stuff led by a fastball and slider and fourth-starter upside.
RHP Wyatt Mills is a sidearmer with velocity into the mid-90s to go with an above-average slider and changeup, so he'll likely get a 2020 look with setup potential. RHP Juan Then was traded to the Yankees then back again and is a solid projection play with athleticism and a fourth-starter profile. RHP Sam Carlson was a promising prep arm who had Tommy John surgery and should return in 2020; there's fourth-starter upside if it comes back. RHP Sam Delaplane is an oddity in that he gets absurd whiff rates on a low-90s fastball (with elite rise) and a slider (that looks ordinary to the eye and TrackMan), so he's probably a middle reliever, but he could be a unique setup guy.
CF Jake Fraley is an above-average runner and defender in center field due to excellent instincts, while his offensive output should be just below average. He profiles as a solid fourth outfielder who can be the lefty side of a platoon wherever he's needed. 3B Austin Shenton had some draftitis and slid to the fifth round in 2019 due to concerns about his athleticism and defensive home, but the bat still plays. C Carter Bins slid on draft day but the tools (above average raw power, defense, arm strength, athleticism) fit in the top five rounds. CF Jonatan Clase is a little guy with plus speed, sneaky power, and a good eye who is on a big league contributor trajectory, but he's just 17 and has played only in the DSL.
Texas Rangers
1. Nick Solak, 2B, 50 FV
2. Josh Jung, 3B, 45+ FV
3. Cole Winn, RHP, 45 FV
4. Leodys Taveras, CF, 45 FV
5. Sam Huff, 1B, 45 FV
6. Maximo Acosta, SS, 45 FV
7. Davis Wendzel, 3B, 45 FV
8. Sherten Apostel, 3B, 45 FV
9. Yerry Rodriguez, RHP, 45 FV
10. Bayron Lora, LF, 40+ FV
2020 impact: Nick Solak
Ranked breakout pick: Maximo Acosta
Unranked breakout pick: Zion Bannister
Ranked prospects beyond the top 100: Solak has regressed a bit from college, when he was a plus runner that was solid at second base, to an average runner who doesn't really have a position. He's an above-average hitter who has learned to get to all of his 20-homer power, so he's the kind of guy you get in the lineup and hide on defense. Jung was a top-10 pick without pulling or lifting the ball much at Texas Tech and with a frame that looked too big to play third base. He has great feel for hitting, above-average raw power and instincts at third base, so any kind of offensive improvement could yield an above-average everyday player.
Winn was one of my favorite prep arms in the 2018 draft class, escaping the Rangers' deloading program without major injury, but with a weak pro debut in 2019 at low-A. I'm still optimistic, but Winn has been passed by a number of arms from his draft class already. Taveras has been tantalizing with tools for years and has always been young for his level, but all the above-average tools haven't produced like they could yet. Huff has 30-homer power and enough arm to be a catcher, but is a bottom-of-the-scale runner and scouts are skeptical he's anything other than a first baseman. He could still be an everyday player over there, but his contact skills are just OK.
Acosta was the Rangers' second-highest bonus in the 2019 international class but has been getting stronger reviews than Lora. Acosta can stick at shortstop, has plus speed and arm strength and projects for at least average offense, with raves about his makeup; his 2020 pro debut will be watched closely as many top 100 prospects have taken this trajectory. Wendzel went 41st overall as a result of a huge improvement during his tenure at Baylor. He has above-average contact skills, raw power, fielding ability and arm strength, so he could slice quickly through Class A in 2020. Apostel has plus raw power, a plus arm and is making progress in unlocking those tools in games via his offensive approach and improving glove at third base. Rodriguez is into the mid-90s with three above-average pitches and strong athleticism (a top indicator for command), but pitched until only July due to elbow soreness. Lora was long considered one of the top 2019 international talents behind Puason and Dominguez, but now is seen a couple of slots lower as other prospects have emerged and Lora seems somewhat one-dimensional. That one dimension is 70 raw power at age 16, and he's got some feel to get to it in games already, but his weight has already been going in the wrong direction and he's a left-field fit for now.
Others of note: RF Steele Walker was acquired in the Nomar Mazara deal and is more of a platoon type to me, with about league-average offense and defense in a corner spot. It is great that he's now a Texas Ranger. RF Heriberto Hernandez has played some catcher and first base but can play a decent right field as well. He has plus raw power and an above-average arm so he can profile almost anywhere if he keeps hitting. SS Anderson Tejeda has big tools (plus raw power, plus arm, above average speed, SS fit) but an overly aggressive offensive approach. CF Zion Bannister, 18, was a 2019 signee out of the Bahamas who has a lanky 6-foot-3 frame, plus speed and plus raw power projection, but obviously has a long way to go. SS Jonathan Ornelas has good feel for the game and average-ish tools across the board to go with solid performance in pro ball thus far.
CF Julio Pablo Martinez has been old for his levels and projects as more of a fourth outfield than a starter at this point. CF Bubba Thompson is a great athlete with big tools and had a shockingly good 2018 followed by a shockingly bad 2019. 2B Keithron Moss doesn't have an impact bat, but precocious feel for the barrel, a little power and above-average speed. SS Luisangel Acuna (yes, he is the younger brother of Ronald) has some characteristics similar to his brother's with plus speed, an above-average arm and an aggressive cut, but the power is way behind for now. SS Chris Seise had shoulder surgery in 2019, but has the tools to be an everyday player (plus power, plus arm, SS fit) if he can be more selective. C David Garcia is a solid prospect, with some contact ability and enough arm and glove to stick behind the plate.
LHP Joe Palumbo had Tommy John surgery in 2017 but has bounced back well, up to 97 mph and flashing three above-average pitches, including a plus hook. He's probably better in short stints, but has the elements to start if his arm can handle it. RHP Hans Crouse is a big kid with an ugly delivery, but has been over 100 mph and flashes one of the best curveballs in the minors, along with a solid changeup. His lower slot will hurt against lefty hitters, his low extension makes his velocity play down and his mentality seems best late in the game, though he's unique enough that comps are hard to find. RHP Ronny Henriquez is a 5-foot-10, teenage righty with big stuff (three above-average pitches, up to 97 mph) and feel to start. LHP Taylor Hearn is up to 98 mph from the left side with three average or better pitches, but the command and injury history for relief only. RHP Owen White still hasn't pitched in an official game after going in the second round in 2018, due to Tommy John surgery, but he flashed mid-rotation potential when healthy. RHP Tyler Phillips is a 6-foot-5 righty with a standout, plus changeup and good feel. But his heater is more ordinary in terms of whiffs due to shape (he runs it into the mid-90s), so he fits as a back-end starter type.