2. Willy Adames, SS
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 9/2/95 (22)
2017 teams/levels played for: AAA Durham Bulls
2017 Stats: .277/.360/.415, 578 PA, 10 HR, 11 SB, 65/132 BB/K
Info: It seems like Adames has stagnated in rankings this season simply because he didn’t “wow” evaluators. He really is not that type of player on the field, and that could allow him to slide under the radar, though he is one of the best prospects in all of the game.
Adames’ 6′ frame really led to many believing he would need to shift to third or second as he matured, due to a thick lower half naturally. Instead, Adames has filled out more in his upper body and retained his athleticism, allowing him to handle shortstop at a consistent level where he may not be a Gold Glove shortstop, but he certainly won’t hurt the team there.
However, no matter the work he can do with the glove, Adames will always draw his value from his offensive profile. Adames has lightning-quick wrists, getting the bat through the zone extremely quick, though he can at times have a bit of length to his swing entering the zone.
Once in the zone, Adames can generate elite line drive power, and if he focuses on that, he’s going to eventually develop 20-25 home run power as well as likely pounding the gaps for 30+ doubles and a handful of triples each season. Adames does have enough athleticism to steal a dozen bases a season, but he’s more valuable on the bases due to his base running than his base stealing.
Adames could make a legit push for the major leagues this spring, whether that’s moving across the keystone to second base, shortstop, or third base. He’d likely be the most talented Ray in camp at any of the three positions, but it’s a matter of if the team will open the season with him in the majors.
1. Brent Honeywell, RHP
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 3/31/95 (23)
2017 teams/levels played for: AA Montgomery Biscuits, AAA Durham Bulls
2017 Stats: 26 GS, 136 2/3 IP, 3.49 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 6.2% BB, 30.3% K
Info: One of the most disappointing things for me personally with the Rays in September was watching a number of players get the call to the major league club and yet Honeywell remained in AAA, even after the AAA season was done.
The Rays originally selected Honeywell out of community college in the competitive balance B round of the draft in 2014. He’s developed his unique pitch mix ever since into one of the absolute elite prospects in all of baseball.
One of the big reasons many in the Rays rotation have been in trade rumors this offseason is due to the presence of Honeywell
Honeywell isn’t a guy who comes out with triple digit fastballs and simply blows guys away, though he does have a fastball that has a heavy sinking action, sits in the low-90s, and can run up to 96-97 at the top end. What makes Honeywell unique is his combination of secondary pitches.
Many know Honeywell as one of the rare guys who utilizes a screwball, and his screwball is excellent, with a remarkable ability to control what is a difficult pitch typically to even get a feel for, let alone control consistently. Honeywell works with a plus cutter and a fringe plus change as well that he can spot from the waist down with pinpoint accuracy. His curve isn’t great, but he gets excellent swings on the pitch as a “show me” pitch as a fifth option.
One of the big reasons many in the Rays rotation have been in trade rumors this offseason is due to the presence of Honeywell, ready to jump immediately into the Tampa Bay rotation. He has a bulldog mentality on the mound and truly can make even his plus stuff play up even better.
I would not be surprised if Honeywell develops into a front line starter in the major leagues. He will be likely be my top overall pitcher in my top 125.
Next: Newcomer to watch