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Midseason Top 50 MLB Prospects: 31-40

By Benjamin Chase

KISSIMMEE, FL - JANUARY 28: Baseball gloves and a baseball lie in the dirt during the Jim Evans Academy of Professional Umpiring on January 28, 2011 at the Houston Astros Spring Training Complex in Kissimmee, Florida. Jim Evans was a Major League Umpire for 28 years that included umpiring four World Series. Many of his students have gone on to work on all levels of baseball including the Major Leagues. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
KISSIMMEE, FL - JANUARY 28: Baseball gloves and a baseball lie in the dirt during the Jim Evans Academy of Professional Umpiring on January 28, 2011 at the Houston Astros Spring Training Complex in Kissimmee, Florida. Jim Evans was a Major League Umpire for 28 years that included umpiring four World Series. Many of his students have gone on to work on all levels of baseball including the Major Leagues. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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40. Luis Robert, OF, Chicago White Sox

Considered one of the best prospects to come out of Cuba in raw tools, argued as possibly even more toolsy than Yoan Moncada, Robert did not get the same exposure in Cuban ball that Moncada did, but in international competitions, he had established himself as an elite talent.

Robert is a 6’3″, 185-pound player that offers legit double-plus speed, plus arm, and plus raw power. Most consider his defense in center field as plus and his contact tool to be plus as well, which would give him a legit five plus tool combination.

The White Sox won a bidding war this spring for Robert and placed him in the Dominican Summer League as his visa issues are worked out, and he has flashed his brilliant athleticism in a league quite a bit below his competition level. He has stolen eight bases in 17 games and walked more than he’s struck out at this time.

Robert has the legit skill set to be a top 10 prospect, but he’s yet to come state side in competition at this point, so I’ll still withhold some reservation as many future Cuban stars have fizzled as they’ve hit the upper minors or major leagues, but Robert is a ridiculously talented player.

39. Carson Kelly, C, St. Louis Cardinals

Probably the most unfortunate player of the spring was Kelly, when it was announced that long-time All-Star catcher Yadier Molina had signed an extension with the Cardinals, essentially blocking Kelly just as he’s on the cusp of the major leagues.

Kelly was originally a third baseman when drafted in the second round of the 2012 draft out of high school in Oregon. The Cardinals moved him behind the plate, and many felt that his power bat would play well with his athleticism behind the plate. What happened is that Kelly has actually become an exceptional defensive catcher, but instead of clubbing the ball, he’s developed into a contact-driven hitter with excellent zone recognition.

In many organizations, Kelly would be working into the starting lineup this season, plotting out his 2018 move to the primary catcher for the organization. Instead, he’s in AAA Memphis for the Cardinals, either working as prime trade bait or as the next “super flex” player that the Cardinals may work at catcher as well as other positions to get him 300-450 plate appearances a year. However, with Kelly’s ability behind the plate and the emphasis on catchers who can handle the position defensively and provide something (anything!) at the plate, Kelly’s value would be maximized with the tools of ignorance on rather than off.

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