MLB Top 125 Prospects: 75-51
75. Richard Urena, SS, Toronto Blue Jays, Blue Jays #4
Urena and Franklin Barreto were the gems of the Blue Jays’ 2012 international signing period, and they have shown to have picked two elite players in those two, very possibly keeping the best true shortstop of the pair when they traded Barreto to Oakland in the Josh Donaldson deal. Urena is very skilled defensively, but his offensive skills are more average across the board. He’s still building his strike zone judgement, and as he builds those skills, he could see his other skills certainly play up quite a bit.
74. Franklyn Kilome, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies, Phillies #5
Kilome matured into his body significantly in 2015-2016, and the results showed heavily on the mound in 2016 as his triple-digit fastball became more of a real weapon rather than just a throwing dart sort of pitch. He has learned to take away velocity with effectiveness in order to add movement and location to the pitch. His secondary stuff is still a work in progress, but he showed much better location with both, which allowed them to play up in spite of their overall movement still needing work. Kilome has the ceiling of a future ace, but his secondary stuff still has a long way to go. He would be an elite bullpen arm if that’s the route he ends up as well.
73. Jorge Mateo, 2B/SS, New York Yankees, Yankees #5
Mateo has always had one ridiculous skill – his speed. Mateo still maintains that legit 80-grade speed on the the 20-to-80 grade scouting scale, which is one of maybe a dozen guys in all the minor leagues with such a grade. His struggles outside of that have led to slow progression up the minor league system. While his speed allows him to cover plenty of ground in the field, his actions at shortstop were less than fluid, and though he has a plus arm, the Yankees moved him to second base when they acquired Gleyber Torres, and that seemed to be a very positive fit. Mateo’s offensive profile still remains raw as he needs to build his strike zone judgement to better access his raw power, which should be able to get 10-15 home runs as he develops. He could end up a guy that is a pinch runner that can play around the infield if those skills never build.
72. Andy Ibanez, 2B, Texas Rangers, Rangers #3
Ibanez was the lone teenager on Cuba’s 2013 WBC team, yet he looked like he belonged and nothing like the youngest player on the team. The Rangers were happy to sign Ibanez when he defected in 2015, and he made his debut in 2016. He’s already made his way to AA ball, showing excellent hitting ability. Many compare his hitting ability to Howie Kendrick both offensively and defensively, with good contact skills offensively and solid, albeit not elite, defensive skills at second base. Ibanez may be due for a position change with Rougned Odor ahead of him in Texas, but his bat should get him in the Ranger lineup sooner rather than later.
71. Luiz Gohara, LHP, Seattle Mariners, Mariners #2
Gohara got a ton of publicity as the Arizona Fall League season built as he consistently topped triple digits in short stints with his fastball, and not just showing velocity, but also showing the exceptional movement on the pitch as well. Gohara typically sits more 92-95 while touching 98 in starts typically, which is still quite premium velocity from the left side. He dropped roughly 30 pounds with a big-time workout program before 2016, and that increased athleticism allowed him to be able to repeat his delivery much better, allowing for a better walk rate as well. He’ll be moved up to the Cal League this year, and the notorious hitter’s league will be a test for his elite raw stuff.
Next: #66-70