65. Hunter Greene, RHP, Cincinnati Reds
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 8/6/1999 (18)
Likely 2018 opening level: low-A
Info: A two-way star in high school, many were not sure whether a team would draft Greene as a shortstop or as a pitcher or allow him to do both. The Reds did allow him to DH some in his draft season, but Greene and the Reds have announced that he will be a pitcher full-time going forward.
On the mound, Greene has an upper-90s fastball with a slider that flashes plus. He rarely used his change in high school, but he’s shown little ability with it so far, so that will be a certain focus of his work in 2018 with the Reds system.
The Reds will have Greene in low-A in 2018, but he will also have an inning limit on the season, so he may spend time in extended spring before going to low-A.
64. Carter Kieboom, SS, Washington Nationals
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 9/3/1997 (20)
Likely 2018 opening level: high-A
Info: Kieboom was one of the most intriguing high school players in the second half of the first round in 2016 out of high school in Georgia. He showed solid power and instincts for the game in the high school that were advanced, but there were questions about hos his hit tool and defense would translate to the pro game.
The hit tool has transitioned just fine, thank you, as Kieboom hit .297 in 2017, albeit in a shortened season due to injury. At the plate, Kieboom has incredible bat control and zone recognition, finishing the season with more walks than strikeouts. He flashes plus power, but he already plays with above-average power in game, so there could be even more power down the road.
Defensively, Kieboom’s instincts and baseball acumen have kept him at short, but he may need to move to another infield slot down the road as his range is not great, and he could be excellent at third or second.
Kieboom missed a good chunk of 2017 to injury, but most likely the Nationals won’t hold that against him and have him repeat low-A, opting probably to send him to high-A to open 2018.
63. Austin Riley, 3B, Atlanta Braves
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 4/2/1997 (20)
Likely 2018 opening level: AAA
Info: Riley came to the Braves as a third baseman when many saw him as a pitcher out of high school in the 2015 draft. After beating the snot out of the ball in his draft season the question was more where his bat would play as his glove was not pretty.
As Riley worked hard on his glove work at third, the questions became whether his bat speed would be enough for him to catch up to upper level pitching. After struggling in high-A to open 2017, some felt those concerns were even more re-inforced, but a promotion to AA seemed to invigorate Riley, as he hit .315/.389/.511 in 203 plate appearances in AA before continuing that success in the Arizona Fall League, hitting .300/.364/.657 over 77 plate appearances, combining for 14 home runs in those 280 plate appearances.
Riley has seen his glove work come forward to the point where he’s considered an above-average third baseman in projectability, especially as he works well with coaching. He will get a chance to move to AAA this season and could see a late-season call up, if not earlier.
62. Blake Rutherford, OF, Chicago White Sox
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 5/2/1997 (20)
Likely 2018 opening level: high-A
Info: Even though he was one of the oldest members of the 2016 draft class (turning 19 over a month before the draft), Rutherford was considered highly due to his advanced ability to make hard contact. The Yankees were more than happy to grab Rutherford with the 18th selection in the draft, and the White Sox made him a focal point of the deal that sent Todd Frazier and two relievers to the Yankees.
Rutherford was an enigma in 2017
Rutherford was an enigma in 2017. He had games where every at bat was disciplined, balanced, and even his outs looked good. Then he would have stretches where he seemed to press to impress, attempting to overswing for power and hard contact.
When he balances his smooth left-handed swing, Rutherford has the type of swing that would lead to a 30-double, 15-20 home run, high batting average sort of hitter at his peak.
Rutherford’s an almost certain left fielder due to average or below defensive skills and arm, so his future will rest on his bat, and he will be put in a good breeding ground for competition this spring as he’ll open with high-A, where the White Sox look to have a fairly loaded outfield mix.
61. Jhailyn Ortiz, OF, Philadelphia Phillies
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 11/18/1998 (19)
Likely 2018 opening level: low-A
Info: The Phillies spent over $4 million on Ortiz out of the Dominican in 2015 due to his tremendous power. Ortiz has filled out plenty for a guy still in his teens, standing 6’3″ 250ish pounds.
Ortiz has double-plus raw power, and he can immediately turn heads once he steps into the batting cage. With a plus arm and surprising athleticism for his size, Ortiz profiles well as a future right fielder.
The Phillies certainly love their big future cleanup hitter, and they’ll be patient with his big-time potential, so he may end up at low-A, working out bit by bit until he shows he’s ready for his next step.
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