75. Cristian Pache, OF, Atlanta Braves
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 11/18/1998 (19)
Likely 2018 opening level: high-A
Info: Pache was one of the Braves big signings in 2015 out of the Dominican, and his arm and speed were his calling card in his first pro season in 2016. He also showed very good contact ability. In fall instructs, many were raving about the improvements Pache made in his swing and his defensive routes.
Those defensive improvements continued along with better utilizing his speed and developing his body to the point where Pache now works with plus-plus speed in the field and the base paths. That increased speed has allowed his improved defensive instincts to take him to a plus plus defensive center fielder, with an arm that would rate a 65-70 on the 20-to-80 scale, making him one of the best defensive center fielders in all the minor leagues.
What Pache becomes will entirely rest on his ability to add power into his game, but fellow Call To The Pen writer Jason Woodell had this to say about Pache after seeing him in spring training:
Looks bigger and stronger. Improved launch angle. Staying on his back leg and driving the ball. Offense will blow up this year https://t.co/E0XVbqHMap
— Peace, love, and dirty feet (@mufuhkajones) March 4, 2018
74. Dane Dunning, RHP, Chicago White Sox
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 12/20/1994 (23)
Likely 2018 opening level: AA
Info: Dunning was part of an elite Florida staff in 2016 that seemed to dominate the first few rounds of the draft, however, he seemed to be the forgotten member of that staff, almost a surprising choice when the Nationals selected him in the first round as many saw him going in the second or even third round.
(Dunning) came out and showed himself as impressive as anyone else in (the Adam Eaton) trade package with an incredible 168/15 BB/K ratio
The White Sox were very impressed with Dunning and targeted him when they put together their trade package for Adam Eaton. He came out and showed himself as impressive as anyone else in that trade package with an incredible 168/15 BB/K ratio in 144 innings.
Dunning works with a low-90s heavy sinker, able to run up to 96 at its peak. He pairs that with a pair of tough offspeed pitches in his slider and change that keep hitters pounding the ball in the ground. Because he is around the zone frequently, Dunning can have a susceptibility to the long ball.
Dunning projects as a mid-rotation starter and really doesn’t have much more work to do to get to that level. He should open 2018 in AA.
73. Ian Anderson, RHP, Atlanta Braves
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 5/2/1998 (19)
Likely 2018 opening level: high-A
Info: Some were surprised when Anderson’s name was called third overall in the 2016 draft out of high school in New York, but he’s shown his ability more than worthy of that lofty position since that draft.
Anderson came out of the gate well in 2017 and really took off with the one major thing that he lacked in his high school profile – feel for his change. He’s now a guy with a mid-90s fastball that plays up because of his high 3/4 to nearly over-the-top arm slot giving the ball different life than hitters normally see. He has a plus curve and saw the change become a plausible third plus pitch.
Anderson got to his innings limit quickly in the season in 2017, but more of the gloves should be off in 2018, and he should be able to work more innings if he’s able to be more efficient with his pitches, as he did walk over 12% of batters he faced.
He’ll open 2018 in the Florida State League and hope to work to making 5-6 innings per outing.
72. Cal Quantrill, RHP, San Diego Padres
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 2/10/1995 (23)
Likely 2018 opening level: AAA
Info: After just three starts in his sophomore year, Quantrill blew out his elbow and missed all of that season and his junior season as well. However, as the draft approached, word got stronger that his private workouts were showing incredibly well, and that he could go in the top 10 of the draft, which is where the Padres nabbed him, 8th overall in 2016.
Quantrill has simply been a steady, impressive performer ever since, even in some tough environments for his pitching style. He works with a heavy mid-90s fastball that generates a ton of ground ball and weak contact, mixing that with a plus change and a pair of breaking pitches that are average in their movement, but play up when he spots them well around the zone.
Quantrill likely projects as a mid-rotation starter, but he shows a mental aptitude on the mound that would allow that stuff to play up to a borderline frontline starter. He’ll be knocking on the major league door in AAA this season.
71. Miguel Andujar, 3B, New York Yankees
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 3/2/1995 (23)
Likely 2018 opening level: MLB
Info: Andujar was signed originally due to his power potential back in 2011, and the Yankees finally got to see some fruit to that development in 2017 when he made his major league debut.
Andujar worked with Yankees hitting coaches to correct his setup at the plate and took off with a big time performance at both AA and AAA, setting a career high with 16 home runs.
Andujar is the most natural third baseman in Yankee camp this spring, and with a big spring, he could take the position, otherwise, he’ll be at AAA ready to fill in if the team needs any help at the big league level.
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