Minor League Baseball League Top 10 Prospects: International League

10. Jake Bauers, 1B/OF, Tampa Bay Rays

Bauers made a lot of noise during spring training by really hitting well throughout spring training, even as the competition level rose as other players were sent to minor league camp. He’s a lefty-swinging hitter with a powerful swing, but he does have impressive athleticism for his strong build.

Originally drafted by the Padres in the 7th round of the 2013 draft by the San Diego Padres, the Rays acquired Bauers as part of the big trade of Wil Myers to the Padres. Coming into the season, he was the #70 overall prospect with Baseball America and #75 prospect with MLB Pipeline.

The 21 year-old spent the entire season with Durham this year, playing a roughly 60/40 split of corner outfield to first base. Overall, his slash line may not be one that blows away, but it was quite solid as he hit .263/.368/.412 with 31 doubles, a triple, 13 home runs, and 20 stolen bases. He also had a 78/112 BB/K ratio.

9. Chance Adams, SP, New York Yankees

Part of an impressive 2015 Dallas Baptist pitching staff in 2015, Adams was the Yankees’ 5th round selection that season. He’s seen his entire breadth of his stuff step up since that initial season. Originally with minimal starting experience in college, Adams has truly blossomed in the Yankees system.

Adams works with a power combination as his primary pitches, with a fastball that can run into the upper-90s with excellent late life and a hard slider with tremendous bite. His change up took a big step forward this season from a fringe average pitch to a feasible plus pitch as much progress as it’s made.

What is really most impressive with Adams is his modality on the mound. He truly has an old-school “bulldog” mentality on the mound, competing hard in every start, even when he has a day when his slider or change isn’t at its best.

Adams opened 2017 with 6 starts at AA Trenton, but he spent the majority of the season with AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The 22 year-old had an 11-5 record at the level, with a 2.89 ERA and 1.08 WHIP over 21 starts and 115 1/3 innings at AAA, with a 43/103 BB/K ratio. He could push for the New York rotation in 2018.