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Midseason Top 50 MLB Prospects: 21-30

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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28. Franklin Barreto, SS, Oakland Athletics

Originally signed out of Venezuela by Toronto, Barreto remains the best chance for the Athletics to retain value out of the Josh Donaldson deal. Barreto has an electric-quick bat through the zone, but he has struggled to develop his zone recognition along the way as he’s moved quickly through the A’s system, going from high -A in 2015 to the majors for an audition this season.

Barreto currently has a 5.6 percent walk rate, which is right about average for what he’s done in the minor leagues. Barreto has struck out at a 30 percent rate this year, which is a career high for him. A big part of that is that Barreto has struggled in an effort to generate more power in his swing, altering his swing from the quick, line drive stroke that sprayed the ball all over the field to a pull-heavy swing that has really altered his results.

Barreto has actually shown well defensively this year at short, though I still think his future home will be either at 2B or CF long-term. His value is down some for me right now, but his talent is still elite.

27. Cal Quantrill, RHP, San Diego Padres

Quantrill was selected out of high school in Canada, but he had a strong commitment to Stanford, where the Padres selected him eighth overall in 2016, even though he did not pitch much of the spring season. His lack of work in the spring allowed the Padres to push his arm a bit more than a typical college arm, having him throw 37 innings across three levels, with a dominating 8/46 BB/K ratio.

The Padres opened Quantrill at high-A this season to put him on a fast track. He just got a promotion recently, and has made only one start at AA, but he will finish out the season at that level. On the season, Quantrill has thrown 79 innings, with a 3.87 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP, posting a 26/80 BB/K ratio. All but 5 1/3 innings were at high-A.

Quantrill has an excellent pitch mix with a heavy sinking fastball and a good mix of offspeed offerings, with his change being arguably his best pitch, and arguably among the top 3-5 changeups in all of the minor leagues. He should move quickly, likely seeing some major league time in 2018 for the Padres.

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