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Baseball’s 50 Top Prospects: 50-41

By Benjamin Chase

Oct. 14, 2014; Mesa, AZ, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Josh Bell plays for the Scottsdale Scorpions during an Arizona Fall League game against the Mesa Solar Sox at Salt River Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Oct. 14, 2014; Mesa, AZ, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Josh Bell plays for the Scottsdale Scorpions during an Arizona Fall League game against the Mesa Solar Sox at Salt River Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 8, 2016; Jupiter, FL, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Juudge (99) at bat against the Miami Marlins during a spring training game at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 8, 2016; Jupiter, FL, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Juudge (99) at bat against the Miami Marlins during a spring training game at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

50. Aaron Judge, OF, New York Yankees

Judge is a guy who coming into the season had a wide array of opinions. Baseball America ranked him #76 in the game. MLB.com ranked him at #31. Baseball Prospectus ranked him at #18.

Judge was originally selected in the first round of 2013 by the Yankees, and he’s moved quickly through their system, showing power at every step, but he’s also showed a very high propensity for striking out and difficulty with high quality breaking pitches. This year I’ve seen some worries with Judge possibly out-growing the ability to last in the outfield in the major leagues.

Judge is 6’7 and is listed at 275 pounds, and that seems to be an accurate number. Previously he showed ability to move well at that size, but this year, he’s seemingly lost a step, and at 24 years old, it’s only going to get worse as he ages.

While that sounds rough, Judge does have incredible power and a swing that is fun to watch in batting practice. A recent surge has brought up his numbers to .266/.353/.490 with 16 home runs and 5 stolen bases for AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

49. Reynaldo Lopez, RHP, Washington Nationals

Lopez got a ton of attention coming into the 2015 season, ranking #49 with Baseball America and #72 with Baseball Prospectus. After an okay, but not great, season for high-A, he dropped to #92 for Baseball America and #75 for Baseball Prospectus.

Lopez was an under the radar signee that slipped through the 16 year old signing period, not signing until he was 18. As such, his arm still is raw and developing. This season, he’s taken a monster step forward with AA Harrisburg at age 22.

Lopez currently sports a 3.18 ERA and 1.23 WHIP with a 25/100 BB/K ratio in 76 1/3 innings. His career high in innings thus far is 99. He’ll likely only have about 30-40 more innings to throw before the team shuts him down to save his arm, so if you want to get a view, go soon!

Lopez carries a three pitch mix with a fastball, curve, and change. The change is still a work in progress, but he’s made a mechanical adjustment to gain movement on his 99-mph fastball that he can both cut and sink, and his curve has found a more sharp drop with the mechanical adjustment as well, making it play up to a possible plus pitch.

Next: #48 & #47

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