2. Leody Taveras, OF
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 9/8/1998 (19)
2017 teams/levels played for: low-A Hickory Crawdads
2017 Stats: .249/.312/.360, 577 PA, 8 HR, 20 SB, 47/92 BB/K
Info: It’s hard to decide between Crouse and Taveras for 2/3, but on pure ceiling, Taveras could make an argument for #1, and that gives him this spot.
Taveras was signed out of the Dominican in 2015, and in 2017 he was already playing full-season ball, which was a big push on the young center fielder. He struggled, but there were certainly flashes that allowed his bright future to be seen.
With a frame and natural strength that would portend future power output that would be average to above-average, Taveras has certain ability to flash 5 above-average tools.
Certainly, Taveras’ defense and speed are going to give him plenty of opportunities as both could be argued in the 65-70 grade range on the 20 to 80 scouting scale. His defensive play in center field is quite smooth and quite enjoyable to watch as he is so instinctual and takes such easy routes to balls.
While he did struggle some with low-A in 2017, Taveras should move up to high-A Down East in 2018.
1. Willie Calhoun, 2B/OF
Birthday (age on opening day 2018):
2017 teams/levels played for: AAA Oklahoma City Dodgers, AAA Round Rock Express, MLB Texas Rangers
2017 Stats: Minors: .300/.355/.572, 534 PA, 31 HR, 4 SB, 42/61 BB/K; Majors: .265/.324/.353, 37 PA, 1 HR, 2/7 BB/K
Info: When the Dodgers drafted Calhoun in the 4th round of the 2015 draft, his short height and stocky build already had many worried about his future defensive home.
As he has matured as a professional, Calhoun has thickened in his lower half, and while he’s unlikely to play as a second baseman in the major leagues, his bat has also matured along with his body, and he has shown an incredible bat.
Calhoun’s stance and swing are compact and maximized for force against the baseball
Calhoun’s stance and swing are compact and maximized for force against the baseball. He keeps his swing on the plane for an extended period of his swing path, quickly getting into the zone and finishing up with a loft-oriented swing.
Calhoun has incredible power in his quick swing, but he does not expand the zone in order to reach for balls out of his zone, rarely striking out, with a contact-oriented approach. The Texas Rangers acquired him in their summer deal that sent Yu Darvish to the Dodgers.
The Rangers got a taste of Calhoun’s bat in 2017 and will want to see him full-time in 2018, whether that’s at DH or in left field.
Next: Newcomers to watch