MLB Top Prospects: Call To The Pen’s top 150 prospects in baseball

With many places having released their lists, we at Call to the Pen release our list of the 150 MLB top prospects.

Our MLB top prospects list is put together by our co-expert Benjamin Chase after plenty of review and discussion with scouts and contacts around the game. This year’s list was expanded to 150 MLB top prospects, adding 25 to the list!

Before we get into the list itself, let’s take a look at some of the “stats” on the list this year…

2018 MLB Top Prospects list stats

Of the 150 prospects mentioned in this year’s list, here are some of the fun statistics about them:

• The Atlanta Braves have the most prospects on the list with 11. The Chicago White Sox have 9 on the list. Five teams (Dodgers, Twins, Yankees, Athletics, and Padres) each had 8 players.
• On the opposite end, the Chicago Cubs were the only team without a representative on the list. The Seattle Mariners had one. Five teams (Diamondbacks, Red Sox, Royals, Mets, Giants) each had just 2 players on the top 150.
• Via positions, right-handed pitchers were the definite prime position, with 48 players on the list. Outfielders were the only other position with more than 20, totaling 36 players on the list.
• Alternatively, the second base position was the least represented on the list, with just 4 players currently calling the keystone home. Two other positions were close behind for the second-least, with 8 first basemen and 9 catchers.
• Using points-based rating (150 points for the player ranked #1 and 1 point for the player ranked #150), the Atlanta Braves had a significant lead with the Chicago White Sox firmly in second. Third through seventh were fairly tight with the order going the New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, Minnesota Twins, Oakland Athletics, and Philadelphia Phillies.
• On the bottom of the points-based rankings were the Cubs due to having no players on the list, but from the bottom were the Seattle Mariners, New York Mets, Kansas City Royals, San Francisco Giants, and Arizona Diamondbacks, who all finished with under 100 combined rankings points as an organization.
• By division, the National League East has the most players on the list of any division, and by far has the most rankings points. The National League Central, on the other hand, has the least prospects and the lowest amount of rankings points.

It was a fun list to put together, and I’m excited to hear what you think of the top 150 MLB top prospects list on Call to the Pen for the 2018 season. One thing to remember is that I am looking at this from the point of all aspects around a player, including their defensive ability, ceiling, floor, and a bit of “have you done it more than once” as well.

Now, to the list….

Next: #146-150

145. Alex Kirilloff, OF, Minnesota Twins

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 11/9/1997 (20)
Likely 2018 opening level: low-A
Info: After being drafted 15th overall in 2016 by the Twins, Kirilloff exploded onto the scene against players coming out of college, mostly 3-4 years his senior, winning the Appalachian League MVP in 2016. However, he began feeling elbow soreness in August 2016 and rested the winter, hoping things would get better with rest and recovery. Instead, he found out in spring training 2017 that he would require Tommy John surgery.

Kirilloff did not play at all in 2017, but his swing is as pure as could be asked for, and if he can return to that swing in his return to the field in 2018, he can end up jumping up to high-A at some point in the season.

One of the interesting things will be to see how he handles his return to the field defensively. Kirilloff received high marks for his play in the outfield in 2016, but if he is limited to just first base, that will put more pressure on his bat.

144. M.J. Melendez, C, Kansas City Royals

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 11/29/1998 (19)
Likely 2018 opening level: low-A
Info: Melendez learned well from his father who is a collegiate coach and has an impressive level of natural instinct for the game, likely due to that in-home experience. However, it’s what Melendez does behind that plate that had people drooling immediately in 2017 in just 30 games behind the dish. Melendez has outstanding athleticism behind the plate along with a plus alarm.

At the plate, Melendez also showed an impressive ability to approach a ball, putting a loft into many pitches over the course of his season, and taking plenty of walks. He did show some swing and miss, but he will have plenty of time to work that out as he moves up the system with defense being the biggest worry for him going forward.

Melendez’s ability to offer incredible defense already as a high school pick could allow him to open 2018 in low-A for the full season, but the Royals may choose to hold him back for extended spring before sending him to their low-A team, depending on how he shows this spring.

143. Colton Welker, 3B, Colorado Rockies

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 10/9/1997 (20)
Likely 2018 opening level: high-A
Info: Welker was a 4th round selection in 2016 out of Stoneman-Douglas High School in Florida (yes, that same high school), and Welker has done nothing but hit since his drafting.

Welker has done nothing but hit since his drafting

While the Rockies system can give some false hopes due to the hitting environments in the system, Welker was one who hit well at home for Asheville and also on the road, still hitting .302 on the road. Welker’s biggest question to answer at the plate will remain just how much power is in his right-handed swing. He certainly shows excellent gap power, but how that will translate to home run power remains to be seen.

Welker did show notable skill defensively at third base, flashing a plus arm and really making some impressive plays along the way. He will move up to high-A in 2018, and if he can continue his progress, he will be the next in a line of quality Rockies left-side infield prospects.

142. Harrison Bader, OF, St. Louis Cardinals

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 6/3/1994 (23)
Likely 2018 opening level: AAA
Info: After an impressive career with the Florida Gators, the Cardinals selected Bader in the 3rd round in 2015. Bader immediately came out of the gate with impressive numbers, hitting .311 with 11 home runs and 17 stolen bases across two levels in his draft season.

Bader made his major league debut in 2017 and played 32 games at the level, but his struggles with the strike zone led to his demotion. The acquisition of Marcell Ozuna this winter and the emergence of Tommy Pham in 2017 will put Bader back in AAA in 2018, but he will certainly be the first guy to be called up, and he has the ability to offer good contact rates with a balance of power and speed. He does have an aggressive approach at the plate, however, leading to a career 6.8% walk rate and 23.8% strikeout rate over his minor league career thus far.

141. Sean Murphy, C, Oakland Athletics

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 10/10/1994 (23)
Likely 2018 opening level: AA
Info: Considered one of the best of a very deep collegiate catching class in the 2016 draft, the Athletics were happy to see Murphy still on the board in the 3rd round. He’s simply shown himself to be arguably the best defender of his entire class and to have a fairly potent bat as well.

This season in high-A, Murphy hit .297/.343/.527 with 9 home runs in 45 games before being bumped up to AA. One game after his promotion mentioned Murphy focusing so much with the increased stuff of the upper level pitchers that he was not focusing to the same level at the plate, though there were also some nagging injuries that weighed in as well. The latter gained more weight when Murphy hit .309 with a 10/7 BB/K during the Arizona Fall League after some time off.

Murphy’s elite defense should allow him to move quickly, feasibly even spending time in 2018 in Oakland. His bat may not come right away in the majors, but he has the ability to hit for average contact and above-average power down the road as well.

Next: #136-140

140. Ke’Bryan Hayes, 3B, Pittsburgh Pirates

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 1/28/1997 (21)
Likely 2018 opening level: AA
Info: Hayes seems to have fallen off for a number of evaluators due to his power numbers this season, but for a 20 year-old in the Florida State League, he was not terribly off, especially for a guy who stole 27 bases.

Hayes is not a guy who will likely offer big stolen base numbers down the road, but he has impressive bat control, keeping his strikeout rate around 15%. Hayes has natural gap power that could grow into more power as he ages and advances as well.

Defensively, Hayes has impressed with his hands and instincts at third base and should be a plus defender at the position as he moves toward the big leagues, getting to the upper minors in 2018.

139. Mark Vientos, 3B, New York Mets

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 12/11/1999 (18)
Likely 2018 opening level: low-A
Info: One of the highest-regarded pure hitters in the high school draft class over the summer showcase circuit, Vientos struggled through his spring with inconsistent performances at the plate, leading to him falling to the 2nd round.

The Mets were happy to jump on Vientos in the 2nd round, and he showed well defensively at both short and third base, though his likely home will be third base with his above average arm and big 6’4″ frame. Vientos will get to push forward to full-season ball next season, and he has the chance to be a really special one for the Mets and to leap up this list in 2018.

138. Kyle Lewis, OF, Seattle Mariners

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 7/13/1996 (22)
Likely 2018 opening level: AA
Info: An excellent college power hitter who was one of the top prospects coming into the 2016 draft, Lewis began falling down draft boards as he met with teams for interviews and medicals, falling from a top 2-3 pick to #11 overall. He came out like gang busters in short-season ball in his draft season before completely shredding his knee.

Lewis was only able to play 49 games in 2017 and got 2 games into the Arizona Fall League, he left due to issues in that same knee he injured in 2016. Hoping for a chance to return strong in 2018, Lewis ended up needing a knee scope already in spring training, and he could miss up to a month of the season already.

He’s already heading down a road that could lead to promise unfulfilled due to injury, so here’s hoping he can get on the field and show us something in 2018. The Mariners system needs something positive!

137. Beau Burrows, RHP, Detroit Tigers

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 9/18/1996 (21)
Likely 2018 opening level: AA
Info: Burrows has been pushing hard through levels since the Tigers selected the Texas righty with the 22nd overall selection in the 2015 draft. He spent his 2016 season at low-A and in 2017, he split his year between high-A and AA.

Burrows’ fastball is so elite that he was able to blow through high-A

Burrows hit a bit of a wall once he got to AA due to less developed offspeed stuff, but Burrows’ fastball is so elite that he was able to blow through high-A nearly on its strength alone. The fastball runs in the mid-90s, but it has elite spin rate and “rise”.

Burrows needs to polish his secondary stuff to ensure he can remain in the rotation going forward, with a curve, slider, and change in the offering, but none of them above average. He does have an easy delivery that allows him to stay consistent in his arm slot if he can get the feel on the pitches down. Burrows will return to AA to open 2018 and if he can show improvement on his offspeed stuff, he could really move quickly to the big league rotation.

136. Ryan Castellani, RHP, Colorado Rockies

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 4/1/1996 (21)
Likely 2018 opening level: AAA
Info: Castellani was selected out of high school in Arizona in 2014 and the Rockies eased him into a heavy workload, but once he was allowed to handle more innings, he’s been a guy to take the ball deep each time out, tossing 157 innings in 2017.

Castellani may not have elite, frontline stuff, with a fastball that has plenty of sink and peaks at 97 along with a hard, biting slider. He mixes in a change that is more effective based on location than on action, and he sequences all his pitches well to get deep into games.

Built durable and with easy mechanics, Castellani is built to be a durable #3/4 type that saves a bullpen, and he could be doing that soon for the Rockies as he’ll open 2018 in AAA.

Next: #131-135

135. Ronald Guzman, 1B, Texas Rangers

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 10/20/1994 (23)
Likely 2018 opening level: AAA
Info: Built well when he was first signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2011, Guzman has always been assumed to develop power due to his build.

Guzman has improved his plate discipline each season as he’s worked his way up the system, culminating in the excellent season he showed in 2017. He has not, however, shown the over-the-fence power that many assumed his build would portend. He clubbed 22 doubles in 2017, but just 12 home runs.

The Rangers don’t appear to have a spot for Guzman in Texas, though he’s really done all he’d need to do at the AAA level to earn his way to a big league job.

134. Lucas Erceg, 3B, Milwaukee Brewers

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 5/1/1995 (22)
Likely 2018 opening level: AA
Info: Erceg has shown himself very impressive in one season and one season of mixed bag in his two years in the Brewers system after tearing up the NAIA level with Menlo College.

Erceg opened the season struggling mightily with Carolina, finishing strong, with 10 of his 15 home runs from June 1st on, hitting .285/.339/.468 over that time line. He’s shown solid defense at the hot corner as well, though he has a tendency to try to do a bit more than the average third baseman would defensively, leading to errors.

133. Andres Gimenez, SS, New York Mets

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 9/4/1998 (19)
Likely 2018 opening level: high-A
Info: The latest in the Mets line of talented Latin middle infielders, Gimenez debuted with a dominant season in the Dominican Summer League in 2016, hitting .350/.469/.523. with 20 doubles, 3 home runs, and 13 stolen bases, flashing a 46/22 BB/K.

He was bumped all the way to full-season ball with low-A Columbia in 2017, and while he showed his ability to take a walk, Gimenez did struggle some, as would be expected with his relative inexperience. While he does have plus speed, Gimenez is not a natural base stealer, likely due to his low-to-the-ground build.

Gimenez may not develop power to his game, but his natural instincts at short and plus arm should allow him to stick at the position, which he’ll get a shot to continue doing at high-A in 2018.

132. Tyler O’Neill, OF, St. Louis Cardinals

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 6/22/1995 (22)
Likely 2018 opening level: AAA
Info: Acquired mid-season in a rare prospect-for-prospect deal, O’Neill was considered by many to be a coup for the Cardinals when they got him from the Mariners. O’Neill has powered out baseballs since being drafted by the Mariners out of high school, hitting 101 home runs in just over 450 minor league games, including 31 at the AAA level in 2017.

The Cardinals outfield is currently loaded, but if the lineup is lacking in power and/or there is an injury at the big league level, O’Neill could certainly be an early call up on the season.

131. Yusniel Diaz, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 10/7/1996 (21)
Likely 2018 opening level: AA
Info: The Dodgers signed Diaz out of Cuba knowing that he would have an excellent contact ability, but even they have been pleasantly surprised at just how quickly and how well Diaz has transitioned to pro ball.

Diaz showed improvement in accessing his power this season

The Dodgers pushed Diaz to high-A due to his advanced approach in 2017, and he responded well enough to move to AA in just his second pro season. Diaz showed improvement in accessing his power this season, which would improve his stock significantly, though he has a level swing currently, leading to his hard contact going primarily to the gaps, not over the fence.

Diaz does have above-average speed once underway, but he takes a few steps to get to top speed, which means he’s likely not ever going to be a major base stealing threat, but he does run the bases well. He also uses his plus arm to cover right field very well. Most likely Diaz will open back in AA, but he could move up to AAA in a hurry if he continues to hit well.

Next: #126-130

130. Alex Faedo, RHP, Detroit Tigers

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 11/12/1995 (22)
Likely 2018 opening level: high-A
Info: Faedo was considered one of the elite arms in the nation coming into the 2017 season, but a mediocre start to his season led to teams backing away from Faedo, but he finished the year strong, dominating in the College World Series as Florida won the title.

Faedo was considered one of the elite arms in the nation coming into the 2017 season

After a heavy college workload, Faedo did not throw again for the Tigers after being drafted.

When he’s at his best, Faedo works with a fastball that he can manipulate in multiple ways and sit around 90-94. He has a slider that was considered the best in the college class, and he has shown some ability to manipulate that as well. The heavy sink on his change gives him a three-pitch selection.

The Tigers will likely start Faedo in one of their full-season leagues, either low-A or high-A. However, being close to the Tigers spring home could lead to him opening at high-A.

129. Alex Jackson, C, Atlanta Braves

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 12/25/1995 (22)
Likely 2018 opening level: AA
Info: One of the top players available in the 2014 draft, Jackson went 6th overall to the Mariners, who loved his power, but moved him out from behind the plate in an attempt to lessen the load on his body. The Braves moved Jackson ack behind the plate, and after an offseason of conditioning his body and a season of working with Atlanta’s roving coaches, Jackson has already seen significant progress.

On top of the improvement his defense has made behind the plate, his bat is finally coming alive at the plate with the move back to catcher. Jackson was a Florida League dominating hitter before he was injured early in the season, but he still finished the year with 19 combined home runs between high-A and AA before cranking another 5 long balls in the Arizona Fall League.

With his prodigious power, if Jackson can be even an average defensive catcher, he’ll be an extremely valuable piece. The Braves will have him return to AA to open 2018, but he could work his way into the 2019 plans with a big season.

128. Domingo Acevedo, RHP, New York Yankees

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 3/6/1994 (24)
Likely 2018 opening level: AAA
Info: Signed later than the typical Latin free agent, as he was already 18 when he signed and in his age-19 season when he made his pro debut, Acevedo has still been allowed his development time by the Yankees, and it’s paid off well for the team as they saw him jump three levels in 2017.

Acevedo is a big right hander (6’7″) with a big fastball (reports as high as 104 from some scouts, most all agree on 102 for sure). The thing is that he isn’t just a huge guy that launches a fastball. Acevedo has a slider and a change that get mixed reviews, though the change on its best day can be a plus pitch.

Whether he lands as a starter or eventually ends up a reliever, the velocity and intimidating size on the mound of Acevedo is one that Yankee opponents will be in fear of for some time to come.

127. Sheldon Neuse, 3B, Oakland Athletics

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 12/10/1994 (23)
Likely 2018 opening level: AA
Info: Considered one of the best pure hitters in his college draft class out of Oklahoma in 2016, Neuse has shown himself worthy of that tag with his performance in 2017. With a trade in the middle of the season, Neuse played with three minor league teams, hitting .321/.382/.502 on the season, with 26 doubles, 16 home runs, and 14 stolen bases. He then followed that up with a .314/.366/.570 performance in the Arizona Fall League with 5 home runs.

Neuse has been overlooked at times due to his shorter stature (listed at 6′, but likely a couple inches shorter), but he continues to put up consistent numbers and play solid defense at the hot corner, forcing his teams to take notice. He’s even handled shortstop and looked at least adequate there.

Neuse will head back to Midland to open the season in AA again after spending 18 games there to finish 2017, but he could be up quickly to AAA if he continues to produce like he has.

126. Nick Pratto, 1B, Kansas City Royals

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 10/6/1998 (19)
Likely 2018 opening level: low-A
Info: In a season where they were about to lose first baseman Eric Hosmer, the Royals went out and drafted a guy who received a significant amount of Hosmer comps as a high school player.

Pratto was a highly-regarded pitcher as well as a first base prospect, but his bat was always his calling tool, though more of a contact-first approach with enough power to do damage at the high school level. He was able to generate a .167 ISO in his first pro experience, but a lot of his extra base hits were concentrated in doubles.

The Royals won’t be pushing Pratto faster than his bat will push him, and that could lead to full-season ball in 2018 and a quick ascension from there.

Next: #121-125

125. Franklyn Kilome, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 6/25/1995 (22)
Likely 2018 opening level: AA
Info: With impressive all around performance and pitching acumen, it’s easy to overlook Kilome for a more flashy prospect, but he is certainly a guy to watch.

Kilome features a fastball that runs up to 96-97 but sits in the 92-95 range. His plus curve is a definite swing-and-miss pitch, and his change works well when located.

Kilome’s biggest issue is not uncommon to a guy of his height (6’6″) in that he struggles with his delivery being consistent, which leads to struggles with his command and control, and when hitters don’t have to respect the fastball in the zone, they can sit on his curve and not let it fool them. He’ll get his chance to hone in that control in AA to open 2018

124. Isan Diaz, SS, Miami Marlins

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 5/27/1996 (21)
Likely 2018 opening level: AA
Info: For a player as talented as Diaz is, it’s remarkable to consider that he’s on his third organization already. Diaz was originally drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks, sent to the Brewers in the Jean Segura deal, and then was part of the Christian Yelich deal with the Marlins this winter.

Diaz could end up being the gem of the Yelich deal for the Marlins

While not the headliner of that deal, Diaz could end up being the gem of the Yelich deal for the Marlins. He has an ability to hit for power, plus speed, and he should profile up the middle defensively, or at least on the dirt.

Diaz struggled some in Carolina to open 2017, but like much of that team, he had a much better second half than first half, and he showed better defensively as well in the second half. Diaz has split his time evenly between 2B and SS with the Brewers the last two years, so the Marlins may have him repeat high-A in order to work at a preferred position, but otherwise, he should end up in AA in short order in 2018.

123. Cole Tucker, SS, Pittsburgh Pirates

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 7/3/1996 (21)
Likely 2018 opening level: AA
Info: One of the youngest players in the 2014 draft, the Pirates took Tucker with the 24th overall selection. He’s moved understandably slow in his first few seasons, but he had a breakout in 2017, making it up to AA in his age-20 year.

Tucker offers plus speed, even double-plus depending who you talk with, along with a strong swing that indicated more power down the road, and as he’s filled into his frame, he showed some of that power in 2017, doubling his previous output of home runs with 6 and adding 11 triples along with his 47 stolen bases.

Defensively Tucker gets high marks for his feel for the game and his range at shortstop, likely to stick at the position. He will head back to AA most likely to open 2018, but should move up to AAA soon in the year.

122. Daz Cameron, OF, Detroit Tigers

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 1/15/1997 (21)
Likely 2018 opening level: high-A
Info: Cameron made a big impression on teams with both his lineage and his raw talent in high school, drawing a big over-slot bonus in the 37th overall slot in 2015 to the Astros, but he struggled with injury and performance issues in his first two seasons.

He finally broke through in his second go at the Midwest League, hitting .271/.351/.463 with 29 doubles, 8 triples, 14 home runs, and 32 stolen bases to fill up the stat sheet. He added in a quality center field defensively to really bring home the break out.

While Cameron isn’t the same defender as his dad was, he could be an elite corner defender or an adequate center fielder and this blend of power and speed is not unexpected for him. He should get a chance to build on this in the Florida State League in 2018.

121. Yordan Alvarez, 1B, Houston Astros

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 6/27/1997 (20)
Likely 2018 opening level: AA
Info: The Astros were big fans of Alvarez before the Dodgers beat them out in the bidding to sign the giant from Cuba. Before he had a chance to play in a game in the Dodgers organization, he was traded to the Astros for reliever Josh Fields in quite a coup for the Astros.

Alvarez played in just 16 games for the Astros DSL team in 2016, but he was pushed immediately to low-A to open 2017, and he didn’t show any issues with the jump. He earned a promotion to high-A in June, where his power seemed sapped, but his contact rate remained excellent.

Alvarez strikes the impression of a hulking masher at 6’5″ and a very well-built 225-235 pounds. However, he earned the notation as the best athlete in the Astros system from Baseball America, and that’s not a crazy thing to say as some scouts considered Alvarez a plus runner underway, but he does take a few strides to get there, which is likely going to keep him from ever being a stolen base threat, but does give him the option of playing either first base or the outfield, where he has an above-average arm.

Next: #116-120

120. Brandon Marsh, OF, Los Angeles Angels

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 12/18/1997 (20)
Likely 2018 opening level: low-A
Info: One of the best athletes available in the 2016 draft, Marsh was an elite football player and baseball player in high school in Georgia. Marsh signed late in the season and then had some injury issues keep him out in his draft season, though his work in instructs was impressive.

Getting a chance to get on the field, Marsh showed off his impressive skillset, but also showed that he is still raw right now. He was able to power out 13 doubles, 5 triples, and 4 home runs and use his plus speed to steal 10 bases while covering ground impressively in the outfield in both center field and right field.

Marsh did walk less than 5% of his plate appearances, so while his 18% strikeout rate was not terrible, striking out three times as often as he walked was concerning. He’ll get pushed up to full season ball to open 2018 and his athletic profile could jump in a hurry once he adds some baseball polish.

119. Jeren Kendall, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 2/4/1996 (22)
Likely 2018 opening level: low-A
Info: Kendall was an elite player in his first two seasons for Vanderbilt, leading to him being considered a top 10 prospect coming into his junior season. However, Kendall struggled in his drat season, showing a bunch more swing and miss than he had in any previous season, falling to the Dodgers at 23rd overall in the first round.

Kendall has elite tools defensively, with plus-plus speed allowing him to make highlight-reel plays with incredible range and a plus arm allowing him to gun down runners after he makes the catch. While Kendall utilizes his speed well on defense, on the bases, he struggles with consistent reads off of pitchers in base stealing.

Kendall will head to full season ball, and the biggest question for Kendall – his hit tool, will be tested in the Midwest League as he struggled in a short showing there in 2017.

118. Riley Pint, RHP, Colorado Rockies

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 11/6/1997 (20)
Likely 2018 opening level: high-A
Info: The focus of Jeff Passan’s “The Arm”, Pint was lighting up radar guns very early in his high school career, touching triple digits. He was able to cover up other issues due to his powerful arm in high school, but it’s catching up to him in pro ball.

Pint’s fastball is still lighting up radar guns

Pint’s fastball is still lighting up radar guns, sitting 95-98 with a top end of 102. He struggles with his command and control due to issues repeating his delivery, specifically his release point.

If he could control the fastball or his three secondary offerings, Pint would have the makeup of a future frontline starter, but he has struggled to adjust his mechanics to be more consistent with his control. He’ll move up to high-A in 2018, and the Rockies hope to eventually see him pick up better control along the way.

117. Hans Crouse, RHP, Texas Rangers

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 9/15/1998 (19)
Likely 2018 opening level: low-A
Info: Crouse was the talk of the 2016 summer showcases, with impressive performances and a “bulldog” mentality on the mound. A violent/unorthodox delivery led to a number of teams passing over Crouse until he was the second round pick of the Rangers.

Crouse showed out very well in the Arizona Rookie League after being drafted, showing a fastball in the upper 90s pounding the zone with excellent late life along with a plus slider that left hitters often shaking their heads.

Crouse’s competitiveness and mentality on the mound should serve him well as he reaches full season ball in 2018.

116. Jon Duplantier, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 7/11/1994 (23)
Likely 2018 opening level: AA
Info: Duplantier faced some injury issues and overuse concern at Rice, leading to him falling to the 3rd round, in spite of having first round stuff. His minor league numbers thus far have been incredible, with a minute 1.38 ERA over 137 innings.

Duplantier had an ERA this season that hasn’t been seen in a dozen seasons due to a balanced repertoire of pitches, with a sinking low-90s fastball, slider, curve, and change, all of which were above-average pitches and flashed plus in the way he sequenced them and located them.

The Diamondbacks will open Duplantier at the upper levels, and he should move quickly to his projection as a mid-rotation inning eater, but as he builds up arm strength, he could be even better.

Next: #111-115

115. Brent Rooker, OF, Minnesota Twins

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 11/1/1994 (23)
Likely 2018 opening level: AA
Info: The Twins liked Rooker’s bat so much that they drafted him in 2016 before he did some significant swing work and became the most prolific hitter in the SEC in 2017, earning a second drafting by the Twins, this time as a competitive balance pick. He then went about demolishing Appy League and Florida State League pitching, hitting 18 home runs in just 228 pro at bats.

Rooker has a mature approach at the plate, and he should move quickly based on that approach, though whether that will be as an outfielder or a first baseman is still up for debate. Rooker handled the outfield well in 2017, but with already below-average speed, losing any mobility at all will likely stick him at the first sack long term, though with Joe Mauer’s contract up after 2018, the Twins could go year-to-year with Mauer and ease Rooker into that role.

Rooker should get his first taste of upper minors pitching in 2018, and if he can show improved plate discipline, he could find himself on the cusp of the majors at the end of the season.

114. Jesse Winker, OF, Cincinnati Reds

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 8/17/1993 (24)
Likely 2018 opening level: MLB
Info: After moving quickly to the upper minors after being drafted in 2012, Winker had seemingly stalled out in the Reds upper minors over the past few seasons before finally getting his shot with the big league club in 2017, hitting .298/.375/.529 in his 100+ AB debut.

Winker is a below-average defender in the corners, not likely to be a Gold Glover at any point, but he’s adequate enough that his impressive contact ability should allow him to play.

With no true leadoff hitter, the Reds may turn to Winker in that role to open the 2018 season, and while he may not ever steal a host of bases, he is a very impressive base runner and gets on base, so he could be a perfect fit at the top of the lineup.

113. Zack Collins, C, Chicago White Sox

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 2/6/1995 (23)
Likely 2018 opening level: AA
Info: Collins was an impressive hitter in college at Miami, and the White Sox have been working hard with him to develop his skills behind the plate. He’s made significant progress behind the plate, but that has taken him from a below average catcher to an average catcher.

The struggle is that while his catching has been making strides, his bat has been stalling, though he had an impressive on base in 2017, in spite of a Mendoza-line batting average. Collins has flashed above-average power as well, but his swing has often gotten a bit long.

With the strides he’s already made defensively, it’d be foolhardy to bet against Collins as he opens in AA in 2018.

112. Logan Warmoth, SS, Toronto Blue Jays

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 9/6/1995 (22)
Likely 2018 opening level: low-A
Info: Warmoth was the top shortstop in the college class in the 2017 draft. He may not have a single plus tool, without elite speed or power or defense, but he is a guy who has above average tools across the board.

Warmoth was the top shortstop in the college class in the 2017 draft

In his first pro experience, Warmoth showed well in the Northwest League, receiving plenty of note for his consistent, steady play at shortstop and likewise at the plate, without a standout tool that would indicate he ends up a future superstar, but a high floor that would indicate a strong future.

Warmoth should get his first taste of full-season ball in 2018, and he could move very quickly with his steady play.

111. Brett Phillips, OF, Milwaukee Brewers

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 5/30/1994 (23)
Likely 2018 opening level: MLB
Info: Owner of arguably the most infectious laugh in all of baseball, Phillips is an elite defender with an 80-grade arm in the outfield that can handle center field but is a plus defender in a corner.

Getting a chance to make his major league debut in 2017, Phillips showed the ups and downs that come with his offensive skill set as he hit for power (4 home runs), flashed speed (5 stolen bases), and got on base (.351), but also struck out a ton (34 times in 87 at bats).

He’ll need to cut down the whiff rate to have a shot as a future regular, but the balance of power and speed along with his elite outfield defense should give him a shot at a big league career.

Next: #106-110

110. Freicer Perez, RHP, New York Yankees

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 3/14/1996 (22)
Likely 2018 opening level: high-A
Info: A late signee for a Latin pitcher, Perez was already 18 when he signed in 2014. Perez fits the profile of a Yankee target recently, long and lanky with a monster fastball. Perez stands 6’8″ and he’s filled out a little each season of his Yankees career.

Perez’s signature pitch is a fastball that can bump the triple digit mark with late sink and wiggle both, making it a wicked pitch to square up, and coming from his height, he has excellent weight on the pitch as well. Perez has three offspeed pitches all working in the same velocity range, all in the 80s. His change is his best of the group, though both breaking pitches have a plus projection on them.

Perez does have some delivery issues as is typical of a guy his height, but it’s more due to not repeating what is an otherwise clean delivery. When he gets off of his best delivery, his arm slot will vary to get the pitch movement he desires, giving a tell to his stuff. Otherwise, he comes from a similar arm slot on all pitches in his clean delivery.

Perez has a big upside with a floor that should allow him to be a dominant reliever if he doesn’t work in the rotation. He’ll get his turn at high-A this season and could find himself in the upper minors by the end of the year.

109. Bryse Wilson, RHP, Atlanta Braves

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 12/20/1997 (20)
Likely 2018 opening level: high-A
Info: One of the downfalls of the depth of pitching in the Braves system for the pitchers is that they often can get lost in the shuffle among other strong arms. That’s absolutely the case with Wilson, who had an incredible high school career, but was almost immediately overshadowed by three other arms in his own draft class in 2016.

Wilson has a bit of an unorthodox arm slot that hides the pitch and allows his change to play up to hitters from both sides along with a fastball that works with good movement in the mid-90s and a slider that consistently improved over the season, both of which were excellent pitches at generating weak contact.

Wilson will move up to high-A this season, but with an athletic, sturdy build and an ever-improving command of all of his stuff, he could be a mid-rotation guy or even more in a rotation down the line.

108. Tyler Mahle, RHP, Cincinnati Reds

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 9/29/1994 (23)
Likely 2018 opening level: MLB
Info: Not a guy with blazing stuff, Mahle caught the attention of many in the game by throwing a perfect game early in the minor league season, but that perfect game was simply part of a dominant season from minor leagues and even to the majors for Mahle.

Mahle lives more with manipulating his stuff and locating it than with a fastball that hits 99, though he can reach the mid-90s with his heater. He works with an excellent array of pitches, and can manipulate the movement on each as he works. That allowed Mahle to post a 2.06 ERA over 24 minor league starts and 2.70 ERA over 4 major league starts.

Mahle should open in the Reds rotation in 2018, and while he may not be a future frontline arm, he’s the type of guy whose intelligence on the mound could allow him to play up his raw stuff and have a Brad Radke-esque career.

107. Kevin Maitan, SS, Los Angeles Angels

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 2/12/2000 (18)
Likely 2018 opening level: low-A
Info: Many viewed Maitan’s 2017 as a step back for one of the most hyped international prospects in over a decade, but when you peel back the layers on his season, he’s not far off of the player he was coming into the season outside of being with a new organization.

Maitan ended up with a hamstring injury that really hampered his play in 2017, but the flashes were certainly there in spring training before the injury and then after the season once he was healthy and back in the cage, having trimmed back to his previous trim and cut physique.

Maitan likely is going to be too large for the shortstop position long term, but he does have excellent first step instincts that could allow him to get most of the way through the minor leagues playing the position. It’s his rare blend of power from both sides of the plate along with an ability to make consistent solid contact that should allow Maitan to develop into a force, though he is still just 18 this season, so the variance on what he could become is still wide.

106. Chance Sisco, C, Baltimore Orioles

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 2/24/1995 (23)
Likely 2018 opening level: AAA
Info: When the Orioles allowed starting catcher Welington Castillo to walk after the 2017 season, many assumed it was to give a full-time role to Sisco, but the word from the Orioles is that they would like to ease him into a starting job in 2018, likely opening him in AAA.

Sisco may be the current catcher of the future in Baltimore

Sisco may be the current catcher of the future in Baltimore, but he fits there due to the team’s penchant for a willingness to allow for defensive variance behind the plate as long as there’s an offensive contribution at the plate, something not as common in the game anymore. Sisco is an average catcher, though he has worked hard to improve his skills behind the dish and is willing to be coached, which is certainly a positive attribute.

Sisco’s best tool is his contact ability. He could develop more over-the-fence power down the road, but right now he has more gap power than anything. Sisco isn’t a guy who likely will end up a future superstar, but he should be a consistent performer that offers a steady batting average at the position.

Next: #101-105

105. Jake Burger, 3B, Chicago White Sox

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 4/10/1996 (21)
Likely 2018 opening level: high-A
Info: Burger may have one of the most meme’d names in all of baseball, but he produced at the plate throughout college to the point where the White Sox were comfortable taking him with the 11th overall selection in the 2017 draft, in site of a typical bias against college power hitters in the draft.

The power in Burger’s bat will be his calling card

Burger then went out and answered one of the biggest questions about his future in a 50-game spurt to finish out his draft season, playing 45 games at third base and showing excellent hands and a powerful arm at the position. He may not make any marks for his range at the hot corner, but he’s a steady fielder there that has the ability to be more than adequate fielding the hot corner, at least early on in his career.

The power in Burger’s bat will be his calling card, however, not his glove. He has a strong right-handed swing that is grooved for loft, but also has zone coverage enough to offer at least average contact going forward, giving Burger the feasible upside of a guy who draws walks with a .250-.270 average with 25+ home run power.

An injury in spring will likely delay the start of Burger’s season, but he should spend his season between high-A and AA this year and be on the fast track to the South Side.

104. Hector Perez, RHP, Houston Astros

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 6/6/1996 (21)
Likely 2018 opening level: AA
Info: Perez’s power stuff works to keep batters on their feet due to his high velocity stuff, but also because he frequently misses out of the zone with that power stuff, which could be a dangerous thing for a hitter.

Perez started working more as a long reliever toward the end of 2017 in high-A, and that could be an ideal spot for him with his big fastball and wipeout slider combination, spotting in a slow curve or splitter every so often to really keep hitters off the two-pitch combo.

Perez could be dominant in the multiple inning relief role or as a closer, but with four pitches (five if he uses his below-average change), the Astros will give him plenty of chances as a starter.

103. Jorge Alfaro, C, Philadelphia Phillies

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 6/11/1993 (24)
Likely 2018 opening level: MLB
Info: Alfaro has been on the public mind, at least among prospect hounds, since he was 17 as Jason Parks, then of Baseball Prospectus, was enamored with the young catcher, calling him the next big thing.

Alfaro’s profile then really remains the same now – for better and for worse. He is a ridiculously athletic player for a catcher, has light-tower raw power, has a cannon for an arm, but also has extreme swing and miss and pitch recognition issues.

After an impressive 29 games at the major league level in 2017, many people have put the fact that in 464 plate appearances Alfaro totaled 19 walks and 146 strikeouts. He also hit .241/.291/.358 in 350 AAA plate appearances, and many have flossed over that due to his MLB performance. While he’s got a high ceiling, for a guy who will open the season as the likely starter in Philly, Alfaro is a guy who still has a low floor.

102. Adonis Medina, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 12/18/1996 (21)
Likely 2018 opening level: high-A
Info: Medina is another in a line of excellent Phillies Latin arms, getting his first exposure to full season ball and taking off with a huge step forward in growth.

Medina works with a fastball that has plenty of weight and runs 93-97, and he showed a ton of improvement in his slider, receiving multiple plus grades from scouts I talked with. His change has become an excellent complement to his fastball and flashes above-average, though he uses it rarely, and he took a big step forward in locating his looping curve.

The four-pitch combination gives Medina the type of arsenal that would allow him to project as a front of the rotation starter. His improved command and control of his entire repertoire should also help him as he moves up to high-A in 2018.

101. Shane Baz, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 6/17/1999 (18)
Likely 2018 opening level: short-season A-ball
Info: Baz was one of the most impressive high school arms entering the 2017 draft with a deeper arsenal of pitches than most, featuring a fastball, cutter, slider, curve, and change, and all of which could be above-average or better. Baz is very athletic, but his delivery can get off at times in spite of his athleticism, which led to issues with control in his draft year.

Baz is a guy with frontline stuff, but he will need to get his control and command in line, which he certainly could with his athleticism. He should see full-season ball this year, but likely will do such after opening at a short-season level or spending time in extended spring.

Next: #96-100

100. Anderson Espinoza, RHP, San Diego Padres

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 3/9/1998 (20)
Likely 2018 opening level: Out for 2018
Info: The trade that brought Espinoza to San Diego got general manager A.J. Preller into hot water, but his raw talent is certainly worth it. That said, he will be out most, if not all, of 2018 after Tommy John surgery in August of 2017, so he won’t likely be moving up on the prospect lists this offseason.

Espinoza’s received comparison to small-ish Latin righties with major stuff since being signed, from Pedro Martinez to the late Yordano Ventura. He can work up to the upper 90s with a fastball that has incredible late low-zone movement along with a plus change and a curve that is above-average.

His raw stuff merits this placement, and it will be interesting to see how Espinoza responds once he gets on the mound.

99. Carson Kelly, C, St. Louis Cardinals

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 7/14/1994 (23)
Likely 2018 opening level: MLB
Info: If Kelly was on any of probably 20 other teams in the major leagues, he’d be getting ready to start the season as a major league starting catcher. A transitioned third baseman, Kelly showed power as a high school player offensively, but the offensive profile has changed for Kelly some.

Kelly has developed into a guy who has an above-average contact ability

Kelly is a solid defensive catcher with more of a skill at blocking and receiving than at gunning down runners. He’s received very high marks with how he works with his pitchers.

Kelly has developed into a guy who has an above-average contact ability and good gap power with the ability to yank 15-20 home runs at his top end. If Kelly would be able to have a starting job, he could be at least a league-average catcher, but he’ll likely work as Yadier Molina’s backup for the next couple of seasons, barring a trade.

98. Mitchell White, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 12/28/1994 (23)
Likely 2018 opening level: AA
Info: White struggled in college to find the form he had as a high school underclassman before he went under the knife for Tommy John surgery. The Dodgers picked him in the 2nd round of the 2016 draft, and he’s been flashing impressive stuff when he’s been on the mound.

White works at 94-97 with an impressive array of movement that he can get by manipulating the pitch. He adds in a plus slider, an above-average curve, and an improving change to give him a lethal four-pitch mix.

While White has a delivery that is fluid and easy, he struggles with his release point at times, leading to his control and command wavering. He’ll return to AA in 2018 to hopefully establish that control and step forward to the future #2 that he could become.

97. Brian Anderson, 3B, Miami Marlins

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 5/19/1993 (24)
Likely 2018 opening level: MLB
Info: Anderson was the 3rd round selection of the Marlins out of the University of Arkansas in 2014. He’s moved up the system slowly, flashing power and playing quality defense at the hot corner.

Anderson plays above-average defense at the hot corner, using a plus arm to add to his quality reactions. He has above-average power and good control of the strike zone, and he could end up being a player who gives decent average along with 20+ home runs.

Anderson had an excellent finish to his season in AAA, and with the team going through a major rebuild, Anderson will have a starting role at the big league level in 2018.

96. Jesus Luzardo, LHP, Oakland Athletics

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 9/30/1997 (20)
Likely 2018 opening level: low-A
Info: A likely first round pick before Tommy John his senior season of high school, Luzardo fell to the Nationals in the 3rd round in 2016. Luzardo finally got back on the mound midway through the 2017 season.

Luzardo worked up to the upper 90s with his fastball, though he sat more around 92-94 with excellent late sink and wiggle. Luzardo has a plus change that he really got back to feeling out this season. Luzardo can break his breaking stuff in multiple ways.

While Luzardo saw his stuff return, the feel for it wasn’t perfect, and at times, he was seemingly aiming his pitches so he would not miss the zone, which is what led to a 5/48 BBK over 43 1/3 innings. Luzardo will work to build his innings up in 2018 in full-season ball.

Next: #91-95

95. Luis Ortiz, RHP, Milwaukee Brewers

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 9/22/1995 (22)
Likely 2018 opening level: AAA
Info: Ortiz has impressive stuff, but he’s struggled to stay healthy since being a first round draft pick by the Rangers in 2014. Ortiz has a very large frame, bordering on too big for his 6’3″ body, and there is some worry that he’s not going to be able to take care of himself well enough to have a long-term future in the rotation.

With a mid-90s heavy fastball and a hard slider to pair, Ortiz could work well out of the bullpen, but he does also work in an average curve and a change that can flash above-average at times. His size and health have led to issues with a consistent delivery, however, so he’s not developed the polish on his last two pitches that he’ll need long-term.

Ortiz has found success enough to get him all the way to the AAA level, but it will be how he cares for himself that determines whether his next step is to the big leagues as a starter or a reliever.

94. Jake Bauers, OF, Tampa Bay Rays

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 10/6/1995 (22)
Likely 2018 opening level: MLB
Info: Bauers came to the Rays system from the Padres in the Wil Myes deal, and he jumped two levels in his first season in the Rays system, leaping his way to the upper minors at just 19. The Rays let him spend full seasons at AA and AAA the last two seasons, splitting time between the corner outfield and first base.

Bauers will likely get every shot to walk out of spring training with the starting first base job with the Rays in 2018. He has a blend of power and speed along with enough bat speed that he should be able to hit for a solid average along with excellent gap power and double digit steals right away.

The question for Bauers will be how much home run power he will generate. He certainly can flash borderline plus power in the cage, but whether he will settle in more as an above-average power guy with 20ish home runs or really push forward with 25+.

93. Austin Beck, OF, Oakland Athletics

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 11/21/1998 (19)
Likely 2018 opening level: low-A
Info: One of the toughest guys to judge this spring was Beck, who was facing fairly weak competition a lot of the spring in high school after an injury kept him out of the summer showcase series against the top players in his draft class.

Beck has a naturally athletic build, and thankfully, his athleticism returned after injury, and he was able to play incredible baseball all spring, putting up numbers that dwarfed his regional competition.

Beck has incredible raw power and can flash plus speed as well

When he can tap into it, Beck has incredible raw power and can flash plus speed as well, though he’s likely to settle more into more of an above-average sort of guy down the road.

There is still some plate discipline issue to work through with Beck, but he is a good candidate to open 2018 in full-season ball.

92. Brusdar Graterol, RHP, Minnesota Twins

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 8/26/1998 (19)
Likely 2018 opening level: low-A
Info: Graterol came back from Tommy John surgery in 2017 with as much or more zip on his fastball as he’d shown before along with much more composure on the mound and a fully-developed physique, ready for the rigors of starting. His fastball eclipsed triple digits and sat up to 98 through 5 innings. He showed off a pair of brutal breaking pitches, with a high 80s slider and low 80s hard curve that both earned plenty of flailing swings. His change has wicked movement, but he still has work to do to harness that movement.

Graterol needs to put innings onto his arm, but there may not be a better chance in the Twins system at a true four-pitch ace-type pitcher than Graterol, in spite of some suddenly-impressive pitching depth in the system. He should be a guy to track this season as he could end up pushing the Twins’ plans with a dominant showing at Cedar Rapids to open the season.

91. Tanner Scott, LHP, Baltimore Orioles

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 7/22/1994 (23)
Likely 2018 opening level: AAA
Info: Scott was originally drafted in the 6th round of the 2014 draft out of Howard College in Texas, and with a strong build, he’s lived up to his physical look with his performance on the mound thus far.

The Orioles used Scott primarily out of the bullpen his first two seasons in their system, hoping to build up arm strength, and in 2017, they found his likely future role in moving him into a multi=inning role where he started in the minor leagues, but was used for just a maximum of a few innings each start.

Scott has an incredible pair of pitches in his fastball that can run up and over triple digits in velocity, and he pairs that with a low-90s slider with wicked bite. Scott generates a ton of swing and miss and could be headed for a bullpen role in Baltimore straight out of spring this season.

Next: #86-90

90. Brendan McKay, LHP/1B, Tampa Bay Rays

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 12/18/1995 (22)
Likely 2018 opening level: high-A
Info: After an impressive college career both on the mound and as a hitter, McKay seemed disappointed to have his name called 4th overall as a first baseman in the June draft, but the Rays have made it clear that they do intend to allow him to continue to develop as a hitter and a pitcher.

McKay is not a guy who is likely elite at either spot, with likely #3/4 start projection as a pitcher and a likely role as a solid average and OBP, 20ish home run first baseman. Either role is very valuable and needed, though neither is exactly a monster prospect by themselves, but rolled into one player makes it much more intriguing.

The Rays intend to allow McKay to develop both at the plate and on the mound, likely with a push to full season ball.

89. Luis Urias, 2B, San Diego Padres

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 6/3/1997 (20)
Likely 2018 opening level: AAA
Info: Urias’ size has often worried scouts at just 5’9″ and roughly 165 pounds dripping wet, but he puts the barrel of the bat on the ball from the moment he rolls out of bed in the morning. Now he’s shown that impressive hand-eye to be an asset on the defensive side as well, growing much more confident and sure of himself defensively, even able to hop over to the other side of the keystone when need be.

Offensively, Urias probably won’t profile as a 20 home run hitter, but if he hit .300 multiple seasons with 30+ doubles and kept his strikeout rate under 10% in the process, I think that would surprise no one. He will open 2018 at AAA, but if he really pushes the envelope, he could spend some time in San Diego before his 21st birthday.

88. Jason Groome, LHP, Boston Red Sox

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 8/23/1998 (19)
Likely 2018 opening level: low-A
Info: The talk of the high school pitching class in the 2016 draft, Groome was considered a viable candidate for the #1 overall draft pick. He’s left-handed, has an easy delivery that he repeats, and has a big, mature frame at 6’6″ and 215-225 pounds. It’s easy to understand what teams liked.

Groome began getting some tags with maturity issues during his final high school season as teams got to know him more, and he fell to the Red Sox at #12 overall. The Red Sox pushed his advanced talent on an advanced time line, but found him struggling.

He works with a fastball that sits in the low 90s with the ability to elevate with high spin, a plus hard curve that could work to a double-plus pitch with better consistency in his arm slot. Groome worked in a cutter this season that showed promise and also showed a change that had better feel than in high school.

Gaining better consistency will allow Groome to play up to his peak ability and control his pitches better. He’ll open in low-A to start 2018 with an expected promotion to high-A if he can put things together well.

87. Pavin Smith, 1B, Arizona Diamondbacks

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 2/6/1996
Likely 2018 opening level: low-A
Info: Smith was widely regarded as the most natural hitter in the 2017 draft, with rarely a strikeout in his collegiate career. The question for Smith was whether he would be able to develop the sort of offensive firepower as a first baseman to warrant an early draft selection.

Many scouts believe that the power will quickly accompany Smith’s plate discipline

Smith went out and attempted to do just that, hitting very well and spraying the ball throughout the park with authority, but only seeing one home run, and that was in a playoff game, his final game of the season. Many scouts believe that the power will quickly accompany Smith’s plate discipline.

Some believe Smith could be an average or adequate corner outfielder if he was moved to the position, and with Paul Goldschmidt in Arizona at first base, he’d certainly not have an easy road to that position, but Goldschmidt is only signed through 2019, so he could end up working as the future D-backs first baseman on what would be a normal development path.

86. Matt Manning, RHP, Detroit Tigers

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 1/28/1998 (20)
Likely 2018 opening level: low-A
Info: Manning had the natural athleticism of a son of a former professional basketball player coming out of high school, which made his impressive velocity less of a concern to many in the draft than some of his fellow draftees with similar high-90s readings.

Manning faces the issues that many taller pitchers have with repeating his mechanics at 6’6″ tall. He sees his arm slot vary when he gets off in his mechanics, and that can turn his normal impressive high-spin fastball that touches upper 90s and sits around 93 into more of a flat pitch that hitters are able to sit on.

With that fastball and a potential plus curve, Manning has two of the pieces toward a future frontline starter, especially if he can further develop his changeup. He’ll return to low-A to open 2018, and could find his way to high-A by the end of the season.

Next: #81-85

85. Nolan Jones, 3B, Cleveland Indians

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 5/7/1998 (19)
Likely 2018 opening level: low-A
Info: Jones was a highly regarded high school hitter from Pennsylvania, but some lack of views on him in his senior year due to cold weather and concerns about his future defensive position led to him falling to the Indians in the second round. He struggled a bit out of the gate with the bat, but he more than made up for that in 2017.

Jones has a fluid left-handed swing that generates hard contact throughout the field. He has an excellent eye, but he waits out his pitch, and that will likely lead to inflated strikeout numbers because he is perhaps a bit too patient and finds himself often in deep counts.

Jones has worked on his skills at third base, but he still has more work to do, as he struggles some with his reaction time and coming forward on balls from the position, but his plus power and plus arm should play in a corner outfield spot if third base doesn’t work long-term.

84. Nate Pearson, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 8/20/1996 (21)
Likely 2018 opening level: low-A
Info: A big (6’6″, 240-250 pounds) righty, Pearson caught the scouting world’s attention with the JC of Central Florida last season when his fastball began ticking up and over the triple digit mark.

By the time draft time had come, he showed enough that the Blue Jays selected him with their second pick in the first round, #28 overall. He certainly didn’t disappoint in his pro debut.

Pearson works with a heavy fastball that sits 91-94 and can touch 97-98, though he’s run it up to 101 in bullpen work. He works with a power slider that can reach the upper 80s with late movement, which simply was not fair to hitters. His change showing improvement was also a positive sign. While he used it seldom, Pearson does spin a hard curve as well.

With that depth of repertoire and the frame he has, Pearson has a mid-rotation projection, but if he can get his change and/or his breakers to take another step forward, he could be a frontline sort of arm. He’ll spend 2018 in a full season league, whether that’s low-A or high-A will be interesting to see coming out of camp.

83. Adrian Morejon, LHP, San Diego Padres

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 2/27/1999 (19)
Likely 2018 opening level: high-A
Info: Considered one of the most well-rounded arms to ever come out of Cuba when he signed in 2016, Morejon signed for a Padres franchise record $11 million bonus. He’s not disappointed since, either, showing off both elite stuff and impressive mound presence for a teenager in his time on the hill thus far.

Morejon works with a fastball that works up to the mid-90s and sits in the low-90s with elite late movement. He uses two plus changes that can generate swing and miss and weak contact. His curve is of a high-spin variety, making it very difficult to barrel for hitters, but sometimes difficult for Morejon to command within the zone.

Morejon can get a bit ahead of himself in his lower half in his delivery, which usually leads to more issues with command than control, but he still pounds the zone even then. He’ll likely get a chance to earn his way to the upper minors as a teenager with an excellent 2018 performance.

82. Keston Hiura, 2B, Milwaukee Brewers

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 8/2/1996 (21)
Likely 2018 opening level: high-A
Info: Hiura missed any time in the field in his draft season in college due to having a torn elbow ligament, but he was still able to hit, and he hit very, very well, enough to convince the Brewers to take him with the 9th overall selection in the 2017 draft.

Hiura has a natural quick stroke that is optimized for both power and contact, and he also has very good zone recognition. Some compared Hiura to Chicago Cubs IF/OF Ian Happ due to playing both infield and outfield in his collegiate time and not exactly being stellar at either.

Truly, Hiura’s batting ability will be what pushes him forward, and it sounds like the Brewers will try to keep him at second base for the time being.

81. Yadier Alvarez, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 3/7/1996 (22)
Likely 2018 opening level: AA
Info: Alvarez was an amazing arm from Cuba with velocity that reached the upper 90s with ease, and he could snap off an upper 80s slider with nasty movement. However, his control was so bad that even with those pitches, he was unable to make the Cuban 18U national team. The Dodgers paid him a hefty sum to hopefully hone his command.

So far Alvarez’s incredible stuff is still untamed

So far Alvarez’s incredible stuff is still untamed. The Dodgers have worked with Alvarez to calm down his delivery to possibly work as a starter long-term. The results have not been promising so far, but the Dodgers have continued to push Alvarez through the system in spite of not showing advances in his raw stuff.

With even an average change and average control, he could be a dominant starter. His floor would be that of a dominant reliever. He’ll likely return to AA to hopefully hone in his command.

Next: #76-80

80. Heliot Ramos, OF, San Francisco Giants

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 9/7/1999 (18)
Likely 2018 opening level: low-A
Info: Ramos was one of the youngest players in the 2017 draft, an impressively talented player out of Puerto Rico who lit up the showcase circuit in the summer of 2016 with his incredible power. A number of teams were hoping he would slide to later in the first round to make an over-slot deal with Ramos, bu the Giants broke their typical college-heavy mold to grab Ramos with the 19th overall pick.

Many saw Ramos as the most physically talented player in the entire 2017 draft

Many saw Ramos as the most physically talented player in the entire 2017 draft, but most felt that he would take some development time to be able to see his immense talent come to fruition on the field.

Instead, Ramos came out and absolutely dominated the Arizona Rookie League, hitting .348/.404/.645 with 11 doubles, 6 triples, 6 home runs, and even stealing 10 bases. He spent all of his defensive time in center field, and while his plus speed allowed him to work well at the position, he’s likely a right fielder long term with a plus arm to handle the position.

Ramos does need to work on cleaning up his swing and miss, and the Giants could hold him back in extended spring to work on that, but he certainly showed that he was ready for a full-season league once he leaves the complex this season.

79. Taylor Trammell, OF, Cincinnati Reds

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 9/13/1997 (20)
Likely 2018 opening level: high-A
Info: A legit two-sport star athlete, Trammell had the ability to go early in the 2016 MLB draft or be a prime recruit in football as a running back, where he was signed with Georgia Tech.

The Reds gave him a hefty bonus to get him into their system, and with some struggles in his draft season, many wondered if they may have overpaid for his services. After 2017, those questions are no longer present.

Trammell put together one of the most impressive seasons in the Midwest League statistically, and the more impressive part is that he has much more left in his physical projection. He works with plus plus speed and above-average raw power, but his below-average arm will either leave him a weak-armed center fielder or force him to left field.

The Reds will push Trammell to high-A in 2018, and the FSL will test whether his 2017 breakout was real or not.

78. Bobby Bradley, 1B, Cleveland Indians

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 5/29/1996 (21)
Likely 2018 opening level: AAA
Info: Since the Indians selected Bradley with their 3rd round, he’s done nothing but pound baseballs. He had his first season in the Indians system not winning a league home run title in 2017, though he still pounded out 23 home runs over the season, bringing his career total to 87 home runs over 411 games, a 150 game pace of 32 long balls.

Bradley has a swing that is orchestrated for power, but that swing also leads to plenty of swing and miss as well, though he was able to keep his strikeout rate below 25% in 2017. He does have a decent eye at the plate, which does allow him to walk at a double-digit rate.

Bradley’s a first base only defensive profile, but he has a profile that works there well offensively. He should get a shot to further that profile at AAA in 2018, and he should be ready for prime time when both Edwin Encarnacion and Yonder Alonso are facing team options for the 2020 season, allowing the Indians to spend their money wisely in those options.

77. Wander Javier, SS, Minnesota Twins

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 12/29/1998 (19)
Likely 2018 opening level: low-A
Info: Javier could have opened up just enough door for the Twins that the move of Jermaine Palacios to the Rays opened up an opportunity for him to get a full season at low-A this season, as he and top prospect Royce Lewis likely would have opened the season splitting reps. Now, Javier can expose more to the incredible talent that led to him being the highest-paid international signee in Twins history.

Javier is a no-doubt shortstop, with fluid movements at shortstop, plus range, and a double plus arm. His biggest issue is simply gaining the maturity of knowing when to put a ball in his pocket rather than launch it across the infield.

At the plate, Javier is an impressive blend of plus speed with a frame to add to his present gap power and become a guy who hits for average, gap power, and some over-the-fence power as well as stealing bases.

76. J.B. Bukauskas, RHP, Houston Astros

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 8/11/1996 (22)
Likely 2018 opening level: low-A
Info: Bukauskas had as much success on the mound as any pitcher in college this spring, but he fell into a few scouting traps, being barely 6′ (if that) tall, and throwing with a delivery that maximized his momentum, which can often lead to worry about future injury. When he had arguably his worst performance in one of his last starts before the draft, he took a tumble from a top-5 pick to the 15th overall pick by the Astros.

Bukauskas has an other-worldly slider that has received some grades as high as a pure 80 on the 20-to-80 scouting scale, but is typically graded a 65-70, which would rate it as one of the best in all of baseball. He works with a fastball that touches 96 but works best when he sits more in the 90-92 range early on as he can maintain velocity better throughout.

He flashed a change, but he did not really need to use it much in college, so Bukauskas is still developing his feel for his third pitch, but with a floor as an elite closer, he could move quickly. The Astros will have him at an A-ball level in 2018, whether that’s low-A or high-A, and adding another breaking pitch and/or refining his changeup feel could rocket him into the frontline starter discussion.

Next: #71-75

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:

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.

Next: #66-70

70. Dylan Cease, RHP, Chicago White Sox

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 12/28/1995 (22)
Likely 2018 opening level: high-A
Info: Cease was a 6th round selection by the Cubs in 2014 after he had Tommy John surgery in his senior year in high school. He made his debut in 2015 in the Cubs system and was working to build up his arm strength that season and 2016.

Finally cut loose to some degree in 2017, Cease threw 93 1/3 innings in the Midwest League. His impressive stuff allowed him to dominate hitters to a 32.5% strikeout rate, though he struggled with his command and control of that stuff, walking batters at an 11.3% rate.

With a fastball that can flirt with triple digits and heavy sink along with a hard curve, Cease has a number of future paths. Developing just a change and a modicum of control/command could lead to a mid-rotation starter future, not developing his offspeed stuff could lead to a future as a dominant reliever, and adding another pitch with wiggle (whether a cutter, split-finger, or slider) could have him down the path toward a frontline starter.

Until he gets the command/control under wraps, Cease’s future is simply too varied to nail down and rank accurately. He’ll open at high-A most likely in 2018.

69. Albert Abreu, RHP, New York Yankees

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 9/25/1995 (22)
Likely 2018 opening level: AA
Info: Abreu was signed by the Astros about of the Dominican in 2013 hoping he could develop his loose arm into big-time velocity, and he’s done just that. Traded to the Yankees in the deal that brought Brian McCann to Houston, Abreu has certainly found that velocity, clearing triple digits.

Abreu’s more than just pure velocity, however, as he has a curve and a change, and while he was inconsistent in 2017, when he was on, both secondaries looked like at least above-average pitches, if not a plus pitch in the case of his curve, which could give him a big boost.

Abreu struggles as many hard throwers do with his command, but he has enough stuff that he should be ready for the move up to AA quickly in the season if he doesn’t open the season there.

68. Leody Taveras, OF, Texas Rangers

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 9/8/1998 (19)
Likely 2018 opening level: high-A
Info: Signed out of the Dominican for $2.1 million in 2015, Taveras is certainly the highest-upside player in the Rangers system, and one of the highest upside players in the minor leagues, but that upside still has plenty of floor as well.

Taveras is (…) one of the highest upside players in the minor leagues

In his first season, Taveras made a huge impression. In 2017, Taveras was able to play in his first full season in the South Atlantic League at 18. While his batting line wasn’t pretty (.672 OPS), Taveras made a big impression.

Taveras is certainly a center fielder with excellent instincts up the middle and even better routes, giving him a chance to be a plus center fielder at the big league level if he can maintain health along the way.

Taveras will need to keep working on his plate discipline in high-A this season as he works his way up the system with above-average power and plus speed.

67. Justus Sheffield, LHP, New York Yankees

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 5/13/1996 (21)
Likely 2018 opening level: AAA
Info: The Indians selected Justus out of high school in Tennessee and utilized him as a key component in their trade with the Yankees to acquire Andrew Miller in July 2016. He’s seen his stuff take a step forward in the Yankees system.

Sheffield works from a 5’10” frame, but he’s filled in, and can generate upper 90s heat from that shorter frame. He also has a change and slider that work well, the slider better than the change.

Sheffield made a big impression in the Arizona Fall League, striking out 22 in 20 innings, setting him up to move up to AAA this season. He could be ready for a rotation spot as soon as mid-season and certainly for 2019.

66. Dustin Fowler, OF, Oakland Athletics

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 12/29/1994 (23)
Likely 2018 opening level: MLB
Info: The story seemed straight out of a Kevin Costner movie. An 18th round high school pick makes it finally to the major leagues with arguably the most storied franchise in baseball history, the New York Yankees, and before he can take a major league swing, he tears up his knee and misses the rest of the season with his career in doubt.

That was essentially the path of Dustin Fowler before a fateful major league debut that ruptured his patellar tendon. Fowler was coming off a season where he put up an incredible stat line in AA, and he was hoping to build on it in AAA and the majors in 2017, and he was doing just that with 13 home runs and 13 stolen bases over less than 300 at bats before his call-up.

Fowler has worked hard to return to the field for spring training, and if he can show in spring that he’s fully recovered, he could take his plus defensive skills to Oakland to patrol center field. If he’s still working out the kinks from his injury, he could open in AAA, but he should be up in a hurry to the big show.

Next: #61-65

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.

Next: #56-60

60. Brandon Woodruff, RHP, Milwaukee Brewers

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 2/10/1993 (25)
Likely 2018 opening level: MLB
Info: A late-developer in college, Woodruff was taken in the 11th round by the Brewers in 2014, and he struggled with consistency in his first two minor league seasons before breaking through in 2016 and leading all the minor leagues with 173 strikeouts, reaching AAA.

Woodruff made the major leagues in 2017, and he struggled some in his debut, but the Brewers were willing to have Woodruff start late in the season as they battled for the playoffs, so his likely 2018 rotation spot seems sure, barring a major spring meltdown.

Woodruff works with a fastball that works 93-95 with a mid-80s slider and a change. He struggles with consistent command and control of his offspeed stuff, but when he can both command and control all three pitches, he’s a very solid mid-rotation starter that could tally a ton of innings.

59. Jahmai Jones, OF, Los Angeles Angels

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 8/4/1987 (20)
Likely 2018 opening level: AA
Info: Coming from a family of athletes (though mostly football), Jones had a ton of raw athleticism when the Angels drafted him in the 2nd round in 2015, but he needed to work on his baseball polish. He’s been doing just that ever since.

In 2017, he worked well with his coaches to close up some issues in his approach and swing early on that allowed him to then cover the whole zone well and crush balls, finishing with 14 home runs and 27 stolen bases on the season.

Jones is probably best suited for left field, but a few have compared his offensive ability to that of a young Carl Crawford, and if he could find his way into a leadoff spot out of the left field spot, he would be quite valuable indeed.

58. Franklin Perez, RHP, Detroit Tigers

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 12/6/1997 (20)
Likely 2018 opening level: AA
Info: The Tigers have been railed on for their farm system’s overall strength in the past. However, when they chose to trade away pieces this past summer, they got plenty of depth in return, and Perez was the top end of the return they got, seeing him as the headline return for Justin Verlander.

Perez may not have a frontline starter future, but he’s a very sure starter, and a very high floor pitcher at this point, with a fastball that works up to 96 with more life there quite possibly. He also has a curve, change, and slider that he controls very well, allowing him to sequence hitters, getting weak contact and working deep into games often.

Perez missed time with a knee injury in 2017, and he needs to build up his innings, but he should open 2018 at AA and could finish the year with some time in AAA and spend a big part of 2019 in the Tigers rotation.

57. Fernando Romero, RHP, Minnesota Twins

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 12/24/1994 (23)
Likely 2018 opening level: AAA
Info: After a 2016 season spent recovering from Tommy John surgery, Romero really spent much of 2017 getting feel back on his pitches, but his final statistics of 2017 were skewed by his final few starts after he had really run into a wall once he hit 100 innings on the season.

The Twins will work to build up that inning load this season as Romero has the opportunity to be a frontline starter, with a fastball reaching into the upper 90s with heavy weight to it along with a snapping slider that works in the upper 80s. In just those two pitches, Romero would have an impressive repertoire, but he also adds in a change that looked much better before those last few starts, showing excellent sink to match his fastball.

Romero’s ability to dominate with two pitches could allow for him to work as a multi-inning reliever if he’s unable to make it as a starter, but the Twins will certainly give him every opportunity in the rotation.

56. Max Fried, LHP, Atlanta Braves

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 1/18/1994 (24)
Likely 2018 opening level: AAA
Info: A top 10 pick out of high school, Fried has had a long road to where he’s at now, going through a change in organization along with missing nearly two full seasons due to Tommy John surgery.

Fried’s fastball/curve combo is as good as any two pitch pairing in the Braves organization when he’s on, but he’s struggled to find consistency on the mound, working through injury in 2017.

Fried’s fastball/curve combo is as good as any two pitch pairing in the Braves organization when he’s on

Fried uses a pair of curves, a looping low-70s curve and a tight-spin mid- to upper-70s pitch that is absolutely wicked. His knee issues hurt his ability to command and control in 2017, but when he was feeling good, he was absolutely dominant as his final start in the Arizona Fall League showed, when he went 6 strong innings, allowing 3 hits and a walk, striking out 5.

Fried will compete all spring for a spot in the Braves rotation, but with some other pitchers likely ahead of him, he could be in AAA to open the season.

Next: #51-55

55. Ryan Mountcastle, SS, Baltimore Orioles

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 2/18/1997 (21)
Likely 2018 opening level: AA
Info: Mountcastle was one of the most interesting infielders in the 2015 draft. He had the offensive upside to play for certain, but teams weren’t sure he would stick at shortstop, his arm is average at best, so third was likely out, and at 6’3″ and already 190ish at graduation, he was assumed to fill out too much to fit at second base.

(Mountcastle has) shown impressive wrists that should allow him to spray the ball throughout the field with authority

Mountcastle has done exactly what he was supposed to, and that’s hit. , and as he fills in more physically, he could see his above-average game power move up to plus.

Defensively, the concerns have been merited, and he may find that first base is his only defensive future home, which puts plenty of pressure on the bat. He’s also shown some definite need in his pitch and zone recognition.

Mountcastle will open 2018 likely back at AA, where he finished with a short stint in 2017, to iron out his defensive home and his pitch selection.

54. Monte Harrison, OF, Miami Marlins

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 8/10/1995 (22)
Likely 2018 opening level: AA
Info: One of the elite athletes in the 2014 draft when the Brewers nabbed him in the 2nd round, Harrison has fought through some nasty injuries including a horrid ankle injury in his first full pro season. That has cost him truly developing the way he could have to this point, but he made up for lost time with a monster performance in 2017.

Harrison very possibly has the strongest outfield arm in the entire game. He likely will end up in right field, though he’s played quite a bit of center field thus far in his career due to his premier athleticism.

Harrison offers both above average power and plus speed with plus bat speed, though he can get a little pull-happy, which can lead to some strikeouts. He will work on that along with defining his defensive role as he moves to the upper minors in 2018, but with his rare athleticism, if he shows baseball moxy along with his raw talent, he could end up in Miami sooner rather than later.

53. Sandy Alcantara, RHP, Miami Marlins

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 9/7/1995 (22)
Likely 2018 opening level: AAA
Info: With the Cardinals, Alcantara was certain to be headed to AAA, and while that’s still the most likely destination, he certainly could push for a major league job straight out of spring with the depleted Marlins roster.

Alcantara had a mixed bag of a season in 2017, with his big time fastball getting tagged by hitters too frequently for a pitch that sits in the upper 90s and can touch 102. He pairs that fastball with a curve and a slider that often blend together, but are excellent when they’re more distinct. His change is still a work in progress.

While he’s definitely not a finished product, there’s enough polish on Alcantara in his raw stuff that the Marlins could risk the MLB call fairly early on in the season, though he could always end up becoming their next power-armed closer as well.

52. Scott Kingery, 2B, Philadelphia Phillies

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 4/29/1994 (23)
Likely 2018 opening level: AAA
Info: Kingery could always hit, but never quite for the power that he showed off in 2017, clubbing 26 home runs between AA and AAA. Partner that with his plus defense, and Kingery is making his way up a lot of rankings lists this offseason.

Kingery’s short, balanced swing produces sharp contact throughout the field, though he can loft well to his pull side. He could end up topping out at around the range of home runs he hit in 2017, but he should add plenty of doubles and triples to compliment that as an offensive contributor up the middle with a very solid glove as well.

Outside of the power and defense, Kingery brings plus defense and excellent makeup and baseball instincts to the game as well. The Phillies will likely open with Kingery in AAA, but he could be up quickly in 2018.

51. Jo Adell, OF, Los Angeles Angels

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 4/8/1999 (18)
Likely 2018 opening level: low-A
Info: Adell was one of the top position prospects in the draft in 2017, though he seemed to get pushed off a bit by some evaluators due to his competition level in Kentucky. No matter the level of competition, hitting 25 home runs and striking out just 7 times in a season is ridiculous!

The Angels see Adell as a future plus defender in right field, but he could stick in center for the time being with his natural athleticism and speed. He possesses above-average speed to go along with his plus power and plus arm.

How Adell handles pitch and zone recognition in his transition to full-season ball in 2018 could either launch him up the system or indicate a need for a more step-by-step approach.

Next: #46-50

50. Ryan McMahon, 1B, Colorado Rockies

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 12/14/1994 (23)
Likely 2018 opening level: MLB
Info: It is very feasible that McMahon won’t be able to be on this list in 2018 due to playing too much at the major league level. After spending some time at second base in 2017, he added the flexibility to be a utility player for the Rockies going forward, though he should be able to find himself with a starting role, barring the club making another addition before opening day.

McMahon has improved his plate discipline and is able to use the whole field with power to the gaps and also pull power for home run power as well. McMahon’s soft hands are an asset at first base, and he’s had some scouts label him a future plus defender at the position.

49. Keibert Ruiz, C, Los Angeles Dodgers

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 7/20/1998 (19)
Likely 2018 opening level: AA
Info: Ruiz was one of the youngest members of the 2014 international free agent class when the Dodgers signed him out of Venezuela. He has been an incredible performer ever since with the bat and behind the plate.

It’s his glove that will be Ruiz’s calling card

Keibert has power potential in his quick, smooth swing, though he currently pounds gaps with his hits rather than putting the ball out of the park very often. He’s been able to hit to a .330/.372/.461 line over his 201 minor league games thus far.

It’s his glove that will be Ruiz’s calling card. he has elite athleticism behind the plate along with a cannon arm, making him one of the most impressive catching prospect in minor league baseball. He will have a chance to see the upper minors, whether it’s immediately in 2018 or soon into the season.

48. Corbin Burnes, RHP, Milwaukee Brewers

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 10/22/1994 (23)
Likely 2018 opening level: AAA
Info: Burnes was known at St. Mary’s for his advanced ability on the mound, but his raw stuff took a big step forward in 2017 in part due to a few physical adjustments in his delivery, and he’s now on the doorsteps of the major leagues less than 2 seasons after being drafted in the 4th round.

Burnes works with a fastball that runs 92-94 with natural cutter movement. He works with three offspeed pitches that are more effective due to his ability to locate them than due to their raw movement. Burnes control is certainly plus, but his command is what is most impressive, hitting exactly where his catcher wants over and over.

Burnes is athletic and picked up adjustments to his delivery well in 2017. Further development in his pitches in 2018 could bump him from a future mid-rotation starter to a potential frontline guy. He will test that with the hitter-friendly environment of Colorado Springs in AAA to open 2018.

47. Jesus Sanchez, OF, Tampa Bay Rays

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 10/7/1997 (20)
Likely 2018 opening level: high-A
Info: After breaking out in short-season ball in 2016, the Rays challenged Sanchez to move to full-season ball in 2017, and he simply responded by competing for a batting title and slashing .305/.348/.478.

Sanchez is not an elite defensive outfielder, likely headed to left field long-term, but his defense is not what has him ranked in this spot. Sanchez’s bat is one of the most pure in all of the minor leagues, with a swing from the left side that gives vision of future high average and consistent power production both in the same package.

Sanchez will move up to the pitcher’s haven Florida State League in 2018 to challenge his bat, but if he can succeed there, the sky will truly be the limit.

46. Jorge Mateo, SS, Oakland Athletics

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 6/23/1995 (22)
Likely 2018 opening level: AAA
Info: Mateo has been a seeming one-trick pony for a number of years in the Yankees system since signing in 2012 out of the Dominican. Of course, that one “trick” is legit 80-grade speed, so it’s a pretty solid one to have in your bag, but the Yankees were hoping to see more along the lines of power development, bat control, and defensive development that never came before 2017.

Then Mateo exploded over the dours of the 2017 season. He hit for a bit more power in the Florida State League to open the season, but once the Yankees promoted him to AA, his bat took off, and he maintained that progress once traded to the A’s at their AA affiliate. Overall he had 30 doubles, 18 triples, 12 home runs, and 52 stolen bases.

Mateo still has work to do on his plate and zone discipline, and his defense at shortstop is still shaky and could lead to an eventual move to second base or center field. However, the big step forward in 2017 certainly puts him on the map to hit AAA in 2018, just one step from the big time.

Next: #41-45

45. Chance Adams, RHP, New York Yankees

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 5/13/1996 (21)
Likely 2018 opening level: AAA
Info: Adams is a great example of just what the Yankees system can do for a live arm. He came out of Dallas Baptist in 2015 with a relief profile, but the Yankees worked with him as a starter, and he has blossomed in their system, knocking on the door of the majors.

Adams works with a four-pitch mix headlined by a plus fastball and a plus slider. His change and curve play up when he locates well, and his changeup’s movement took a step forward in 2018.

Adams needs to push himself to challenge hitters at times, but he certainly has the stuff to do it, and if he can get in that mindset, he could find himself in the Yankee rotation in 2018 and see his stuff play up behind a mid-rotation starter to a potential #2.

44. Luis Robert, OF, Chicago White Sox

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 8/3/1997 (20)
Likely 2018 opening level: high-A
Info: Robert was highly regarded coming from Cuba, with an impressive blend of offensive and defensive skills. The White Sox signed him for $26 million in May, which smashed the team’s previous record for an international signing.

Robert only played in the Dominican Summer League for tax reasons, but his abilities were on full display, in spite of battling through nagging injuries. He showed better speed on field than in pre-signing workouts and his defense in center was also better than advertised, leading many to believe he could stay there long term.

Robert offers plus speed (although some work is needed on his instincts on the basepaths) with plus raw power and the ability to stay in center field, which is an incredible combination. He does have some swing and miss to work out, which will likely determine which A-ball level he’ll end up at, either low-A or high-A.

43. Nick Gordon, SS, Minnesota Twins

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 10/24/1995 (22)
Likely 2018 opening level: AAA
Info: Gordon has a father with a blazing fastball, nicknamed “Flash”. He has a brother most well-known for his blazing speed. Therefore, it is understandable that many have fallen victim to being underwhelmed at the lack of a “blow you away” tool in Gordon’s tool shed.

Gordon is a steady player with above-average tools across the board

Gordon is a steady player with above-average tools across the board, really not having a single plus tool (outside of perhaps his plus baseball instincts). Gordon has average range at shortstop, but he uses his instincts to put himself into good position at the position and give himself a fighting chance at playing the position at the big league level, though he has also seen time at second base and shown well there as well.

The Twins will bump Gordon up to Rochester in 2018, but with a deep shortstop crop behind him in the system, it would not surprise if he ends up working some time at second base.

42. Stephen Gonsalves, LHP, Minnesota Twins

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 7/8/1994 (23)
Likely 2018 opening level: AAA
Info: Gonsalves is the seeming “engine that could” in the Twins system, often overlooked for someone who has a bigger fastball or a sharper breaking pitch, but the 6’5″ lefty from San Diego simply keeps putting up incredibly impressive numbers as he climbs level by level due to his ability to get great movement on all of his pitches and sequence hitters.

Gonsalves doesn’t blow the digits off of a radar gun, topping out at 94-95 and sitting around 90 MPH with his fastball. However, his ability to locate, sequence, and add movement to the pitch allows his fastball to play up, and then he adds in a curve, slider, and change that all work well due to location and consistent arm action across all of his pitches.

He has a middle of the rotation upside, but Gonsalves has shown along the way not to overlook the chance that he could be more than meets the eye.

41. Alex Verdugo, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 5/15/1996 (21)
Likely 2018 opening level: AAA
Info: Verdugo had an incredible arm coming out of high school such that many teams liked him off the mound more than in the field, but the Dodgers chose to select Verdugo to play the outfield, where his double-plus arm has shown to be a game-changing weapon.

Verdugo has a laid-back attitude that sometimes gets him a knock for being “lazy” or “immature”. However, he has shown an ability to turn it up for big moments and focus in the biggest moments, so it’s hard to truly explain that reputation.

Verdugo offers a very balanced approach at the plate with a focus on contact and a low strikeout rate along with plus defense. He’ll get an opportunity to earn a role in 2018 out of spring, but most likely he’ll end up back to AAA waiting for the first chance due to injury or ineffectiveness to show his worth.

Next: #36-40

40. Alec Hansen, RHP, Chicago White Sox

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 10/10/1994 (23)
Likely 2018 opening level: AA
Info: Coming into the 2016 season, Hansen was a legit candidate to challenge for the #1 overall pick, but he seemingly lost the plate completely for a few months at Oklahoma before recovering just before the end of the season enough to convince the White Sox to snap him up in the second round.

Hansen has more than regained his composure on the mound, and he has found ways to work around some still-present struggles with maintaining his delivery, not uncommon for a guy at his size (6’7″, 230-240 pounds). His imposing size on the mound helps him create excellent plane on his mid-90s fastball, but he also has some issues due to his long levers with consistent landing and release points, though he’s cleaned that up quite a bit.

Hansen was able to dominate A-ball levels with his fastball, hard curve, and his improving change. He’ll take his arsenal back to AA to open 2018, and he could finish the season in AAA, or even in Chicago.

39. Austin Hays, OF, Baltimore Orioles

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 7/5/1995 (22)
Likely 2018 opening level: AAA
Info: Few saw Hays doing what he did in 2017. Coming from Jacksonville as a 3rd round pick in 2016, he was a definite longshot to be the first member of his draft class to reach the major leagues.

Hays has excellent balance at the plate, even if he does have a bit of an aggressive approach. His quick bat and strong wrists allow the ball to jump off of his bat with authority, which is what he did in the minor leagues, nailing 32 home runs.

Hays fits a solid right field profile with an above-average arm and excellent instincts off the bat defensively. He should be able to offer enough offense to stick at the position, though his quick rise through the Orioles system could leave a few worried about his long-term approach issues.

38. Michel Baez, RHP, San Diego Padres

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 1/21/1996 (22)
Likely 2018 opening level: high-A
Info: While everyone was tracking Adrian Morejon from the same Cuban pitching class (who also signed with the Padres), Baez may have been the gem of that country’s available arms in the 2016 international market.

Standing 6’8″, Baez gets impressive plane on his mid-90s fastball and can touch 98, giving him a double-plus fastball to lead off his arsenal, and he works three pitches along with it that each have flashes above-average, but are still not consistent at this point.

Even without that consistency in his offspeed stuff, Baez showed impressive command and control for a tall pitcher due to a very repeatable delivery. He should open in high-A this season, but he could find his way to the upper minors by the end of the campaign as he refines his secondary pitches.

37. Kyle Wright, RHP, Atlanta Braves

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 10/2/1995 (22)
Likely 2018 opening level: AA
Info: While the projected opening day assignment is aggressive, the Braves have been aggressive with their young pitchers, and Wright is certainly much more advanced than the high school pitchers the team has drafted recently, so a push up to AA, especially when he’s as advanced as he is, would not be surprising for Wright.

a push up to AA, especially when he’s as advanced as he is, would not be surprising for Wright

Wright works with a fastball in the 92-95 range, topping out at 97-98, with tremendous late movement. His two breakers are both plus pitches, though not always at the same time, as he works with a hard curve and a slider. His change is his definite 4th pitch right now, but it has moments of flashing above-average or better, with very good late movement to mimic the fastball.

After finishing with a half-dozen starts at high-A, Wright will at least open at the level in 2018, and could push all the way to the upper minors for his first 2018 pitch of the season.

36. Royce Lewis, SS, Minnesota Twins

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 6/5/1999 (18)
Likely 2018 opening level: high-A
Info: The recent trade of Jermaine Palacios opens the opportunity for Lewis to open his 2018 at high-A, which is an incredible thing to consider, especially with so many wanting to complain or raise question with the Twins selecting Lewis over a number of other options. In the end, Lewis showed himself more than worthy of the #1 overall selection.

Lewis earned very high marks for his coachability in that time with the Twins, working extremely hard on his defense, earning true plus grades on his hands from most evaluators who saw him later in the season as he worked hard with coaches on his defensive skills in order to stick at shortstop.

Whether he stays at shortstop or finds himself moving to second or center field down the line, Lewis showed off his double plus speed, plus hit tool, and even flashed potential for above-average power as well. The true five-tool talent could end up being a guy to fly up the ranks in 2018.

Next: #31-35

35. Michael Chavis, 3B, Boston Red Sox

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 8/11/1995 (22)
Likely 2018 opening level: AAA
Info: Chavis had been playing primarily on a host of extremely bright natural talents since his drafting in 2014, which led to flashes of brilliance, but extreme inconsistency. He dedicated himself to his craft beginning in the offseason of 2016-2017, and the change was notable.

Chavis was able to drive the ball with authority, pounding out 31 home runs, but unlike many of the other minor leaguers with such numbers, he was able to utilize the whole field with his power, attacking pitchers with obvious utilization of his notes after games on how he had performed and ways he could improve his approach on certain pitches and types of pitchers.

Chavis also saw significant improvement on his defense, such that he was a fringe defensive third baseman and a questionable player defensively as his 5’10” frame would be a tough fit at first base. Instead, he’s made huge improvements at the hot corner to the point where some scouts I talked with graded him as above average, and I would have put his hands and reaction at a 50-55 myself in my views.

The next item to tackle for Chavis will be his walk rate, but he has a decent idea of the strike zone, and with the work ethic he showed in 2017, he has the chance to jump to AAA and possibly assert himself as the next major trade chip for the Red Sox and a future quality third baseman for someone.

34. Kolby Allard, LHP, Atlanta Braves

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 8/13/1997 (20)
Likely 2018 opening level: AAA
Info: Pushed to AA in 2017 as a teenager, Allard responded by pitching well and sequencing very well, but he also exposed himself to some degree as well.

Allard was noted for his fastball that could get up into the mid-90s as an amateur, but he worked in the 88-91 range for a lot of his starts at AA. He did have some starts spent in the 91-93 range as well, but by far the majority I viewed were in the lower velocity range.

Allard’s velocity is not going to be what makes him a major leaguer, however. He has an elite change up, an easy plus pitch, and often working as a plus plus pitch. He has the ability to manipulate the action of his fastball, something he’s really seemed to take note of from fellow 2015 draftee Mike Soroka. His curve is his breaking pitch, and he struggled with some inconsistency in the pitch in 2017.

All that said, he put up 150 innings pitching all but the last two weeks of the 2017 season in the upper minors as a teenager. He has the projection of a consistent #3 starter that can tally a ton of innings and just a shade of increased consistency in his pitches or a tick more velocity would put him in the #2 conversation or better.

33. Juan Soto, OF, Washington Nationals

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 10/25/1998 (19)
Likely 2018 opening level: high-A
Info: If not for an inordinate amount of injuries that cost Soto time in 2017, he very well may be in the top 10-15 of this list as his raw talent is simply that good, but he wasn’t able to show he could do it for a full season.

The sweet swinging lefty outfielder should hit for both average and power with his excellent swing and bat speed. He does bring a ton to the table as far as speed goes on the bases, but he does work well in the outfield as he has average to above-average speed once underway.

Soto did miss enough time that he could return to low-A, but the Nationals will likely see all they need to in spring training to send Soto to high-A to open the 2018 campaign.

32. Anthony Alford, OF, Toronto Blue Jays

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 7/20/1994 (23)
Likely 2018 opening level: AAA
Info: While many were tracking his organization mate Bo Bichette’s run at .400 later into the season, many forget that Alford was called up to the big leagues in May with a batting average in that area before injury in the majors led to him missing some significant time and struggling some when he returned.

Alford still ended the year with productive numbers and continued to flash the incredible athleticism he has always possessed, but the injuries have become a bit of a worry due to their frequency, even though they’re not exactly related.

Alford plays an elite center field with ease of movement due to excellent reads off the bat. His offensive mindset is that of a top-of-the-order hitter, working counts and getting on base, and then using his blazing speed to create run-scoring opportunities once on base.

Alford will likely open the season in AAA, barring an incredible spring that wins him a major league job, and he should get the chance to push for a regular job in 2019.

31. Alex Reyes, RHP, St. Louis Cardinals

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 8/29/1994 (23)
Likely 2018 opening level: MLB
Info: Reyes was on a path to stardom last spring, with the only decision left just whether he would be finding that path in the rotation or the bullpen in 2017. Then he popped his elbow and required Tommy John surgery, costing him the entire season.

Reyes will be interesting to track this spring

Before surgery, he had a fastball that averaged 97 and could climb up to 100+ without much problem. His fastball was paired with a hammer curve that would leave hitters completely frozen at the plate. He’d started working on a slider to compliment his above-average, but infrequently used change as his starting repertoire.

Reyes will be interesting to track this spring to follow how the team will be using him and how his stuff is returning on the mound, but if he can come all the way back, the Cardinals have themselves a special pitcher.

Next: #26-30

30. Austin Meadows, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 5/3/1995 (22)
Likely 2018 opening level: AAA
Info: When Andrew McCutchen was traded to the Giants, it looked like the Pirates had finally opened up a spot for Meadows, who hadn’t performed all that stellar in 2017, but seemed to be knocking right at the door in the upper minors the past couple of seasons waiting his turn. Instead the team acquired Corey Dickerson, which likely means Meadows gets another turn in AAA to open the year.

Meadows once again failed to play a full season in 2017

Meadows jumped up the system as an elite high school hitter would be expected to do, but once he hit upper minors pitching, he’s really struggled to produce at a consistent level, showing definite flashes of ability but unable to consistently produce.

Part of that consistency issue has been injuries. Meadows once again failed to play a full season in 2017, tallying just 318 at bats in the minor leagues. If he can keep healthy and find his stroke more consistently, Meadows could be forcing some decisions in Pittsburgh come midseason.

29. Luiz Gohara, LHP, Atlanta Braves

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 7/31/1996 (21)
Likely 2018 opening level: MLB
Info: Gohara came to the Braves in an offseason trade from the Mariners, and the team did very well working with Gohara on his command and control to truly enhance his stuff, and that stuff is some of the most impressive in the entire game from the left side.

Gohara has a double plus fastball and slider both, with a fastball that can top triple digits and a slider that comes out mid-80s with wicked movement at the end, looking like a fastball out of hand. His change took big strides in 2017 along with his control, and it would not surprise with Atlanta’s coaching if he took another step forward in both in 2018.

Gohara is a favorite for a starting rotation spot out of camp with the Braves this season due to his excellent performance in the majors when he was up in 2017 and his incredible stuff.

28. Mike Soroka, RHP, Atlanta Braves

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 8/4/1997 (20)
Likely 2018 opening level: AAA
Info: The first round selection out of Canada in 2015 has done nothing but impress his entire career, though he consistently gets nailed for not having “premium stuff”. However, the Braves have continued to push Soroka beyond what most his age should be able to handle, and he continually proves himself ahead of the curve.

Soroka may be classified as a three-pitch pitcher (four if you list his two-seamer and four-seamer as two pitches, which many don’t when discussing pitch velocities), he will give hitters in the range of 8-9 looks over the course of a game, which is why hitters struggle mightily to put barrel on anything he offers.

Soroka has been the talk of the first few weeks of spring training camp. Many feel he could provide a legit challenge for a starting rotation spot for the major league club due to his incredible makeup and ability to sequence hitters.

27. Willy Adames, SS, Tampa Bay Rays

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 9/2/1995 (22)
Likely 2018 opening level: MLB
Info: Adames was able to handle the move to AAA in 2017 with relative ease, not blowing anyone away with numbers, but offering consistent production at the plate and a steady glove in the field.

The field has been Adames’ biggest question during his pro career as he was a tremendous defender when he signed out of the Dominican, but had filled out in such a way that some scouts worried that he would eventually move off of the position. Instead, Adames has shown that his instincts at the position should keep him there for some time even if he would lose a touch of range.

At the plate, Adames is a balanced hitter who doesn’t sell out for power, but also has a fairly aggressive approach in the box. He won’t ever win any speed titles, but he uses his wheels well on the bases.

With a couple of options on the left side of the infield, Adames may crack the Rays lineup at second base to open 2018, but his future is likely as the Rays starting shortstop at some point in the 2018 season and for years to come.

26. Willie Calhoun, 2B/OF, Texas Rangers

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 11/4/1994 (23)
Likely 2018 opening level: MLB
Info: Calhoun has had a crazy ride from a 17th round pick out of high school, was booted from Arizona for academics, and then dominated Yavapai JuCo before being taken in the 4th round in the 2015 draft. He’s now staring down a major league job with the Rangers in 2018.

Calhoun has shown power since college, leading all of JuCo in 2015 with 31 home runs. He’s continued to power balls out of the yard as a pro, coming full circle with 31 home runs in what very well will be his last minor league season in 2017 before a brief major league debut.

Defensively, Calhoun has always been a conundrum. Standing 5’8″ (on his tip toes), Calhoun isn’t exactly cut out for first base, though that’s where his bat probably plays best. He’s a below-average second baseman, but he did show some ability to handle left field at an adequate level, which may be all he needs.

Even if he’s a DH-only, Calhoun’s bat is special and should make an immediate impact for the Rangers in 2018.

Next: #21-25

25. Brent Honeywell, RHP, Tampa Bay Rays

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 3/31/1995 (22)
Likely 2018 opening level: None
Info: When news came this spring that Honeywell would miss the entire 2018 season with Tommy John surgery, placing him on this list immediately sprang to mind. I had him at #10 overall at the time of his injury, but where to place him without any time away from the surgery to heal or any news on the extent of the damage was difficult.

Honeywell’s excellent stuff made it too hard to drop him too far. He’s earned his way to where he is through hard work after being selected out of JuCo in Tennessee to being one of the top pitching prospects in all of the game.

When healthy, Honeywell works with a five-pitch mix, led by a fastball that sits 92=94 and touches 95-96 with tremendous movement in the zone. He works in a curve and a slider for his more traditional breaking pitches, though most know Honeywell for his screwball, as he’s one of the few in the game who still uses the pitch. With those breaking pitches, it’s his change that’s still the best graded pitch of all of them.

On the mound, Honeywell is a joy to watch, so here’s hoping he returns to that pitcher once he’s back on the hill in a year or so.

24. Franklin Barreto, SS, Oakland Athletics

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 2/27/1996 (22)
Likely 2018 opening level: MLB
Info: Barreto is the main reason that Oakland A’s fans are still not ready to call the Josh Donaldson trade a bust. They may still be enjoying their end of that trade for years to come while the Jays could be losing Donaldson after 2018.

Barreto has an impressive bat at the plate, generating loud all-fields power

More than just a trade piece, Barreto has an impressive bat at the plate, generating loud all-fields power that may not always leave the park, but it does leave plenty of impressions with those watching.

At shortstop, however, Barreto may not be a fit. His arm and range certainly work there, but his natural instincts at the position aren’t quite there. He has shown very well at second base, though, and he could be wearing the green and gold on Opening Day at the keystone.

Whether he opens in AAA or MLB, Barreto should use his above-average power and plus speed to make an impact in Oakland soon in the 2018 season.

23. MacKenzie Gore, LHP, San Diego Padres

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 2/24/1999 (19)
Likely 2018 opening level: low-A
Info: Gore blew away high school hitters to the tune of an 0.19 ERA and a 158/5 BB/K ratio over 74 1/3 innings. In the discussion for the top overall talent of the draft, the Padres took Gore with the 3rd pick in June.

Gore’s high leg kick certainly has visual appeal for “old school” fans, but he has more than just aesthetics to enjoy on the mound, with a mid-90s fastball, plus curve, sinking change, and late-breaking slider to complete a jaw-dropping four pitch collection.

Gore should spend all of 2018 in low-A in the Midwest League, and the weather differences throughout the season will be a good location for Gore to learn and gain pro experience.

22. J.P. Crawford, SS, Philadelphia Phillies

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 1/11/1995 (23)
Likely 2018 opening level: MLB
Info: While Crawford has been the guy on top of the Phillies list the last few seasons, he’s not had a consistent upward climb in his progression, especially in the upper minors, as he seemed to really struggle to define who he was as a player until roughly mid-season in 2017, when he suddenly just took off and never looked back.

The Phillies were impressed enough that they sent away starting shortstop Freddy Galvis to clear space for Crawford to take the big league job in 2018. Defensively, there’s little argument that Crawford’s up to the task.

It’s on the offensive end where Crawford’s future path will be determined. He can be often too patient at the plate, letting great pitches go by and ending up with a host of walks at the end of the season but often missing excellent pitches to hit as he worked deep into the count.

The Phillies will work with Crawford through his offensive growing in 2018 at the big league level.

21. A.J. Puk, LHP, Oakland Athletics

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 4/25/1995 (22)
Likely 2018 opening level: AAA
Info: Puk was in the preseason discussion for #1 overall pick in 2016 before an inconsistent final season with Florida led to him dropping to the sixth pick with Oakland. Those inconsistencies have followed to pro ball, but so have the brilliant moments, and they’ve shone brightly.

When Puk is on, there is not another lefty in minor league baseball with comparable stuff, as he can dial his fastball up to 98, toss a double-plus slider, and also utilizes an above-average change. He’s worked as a pro to get more consistent in his release point, but at 6’7″, he does still have moments when his lower half gets off, and he sees his control and command wane.

While the command issues are certainly concerning and noteworthy, so are the 184 strikeouts in just 125 innings in 2017. A former tall lefty struggled early in his career with command before becoming one of the most dominant pitchers in the recent history of the game – Randy Johnson. Big Unit’s example should certainly remind us to be wary of giving up too soon on a big arm, especially from the left side.

Puk should open the 2018 season in AAA, but with a rotation without a lot of “stud” talent in front of him, Puk could certainly work his way to Oakland at some point in the season with a big performance in Nashville.

Next: #16-20

20. Estevan Florial, OF, New York Yankees

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 11/25/1997 (20)
Likely 2018 opening level: AA
Info: A season ago, Florial was just cracking some scouting notebooks after an Appy League season where he made some big impressions but overall had as many big flops as big hits. This season, the positive definitely won the day.

Florial pushed his way through both A-ball levels in 2017, hitting 13 home runs and stealing 23 bases while putting together an .851 OPS. His numbers were nothing compared to the comments from scouts watching him in the field who discuss Florial sticking out on every field he was on for his talent compared to all those on the field.

Florial has the instincts and plus speed that allow him to play center, but his raw power and swing lead to the thought he could eventually be a guy who could hit 25+ home runs to go along with 25+ steals. He should open 2018 in AA.

19. Lewis Brinson, OF, Miami Marlins

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 5/8/1994 (23)
Likely 2018 opening level: MLB
Info: Brinson will certainly be the first return the Marlins see out of the Christian Yelich deal, and he has the highest current value, so that’s a positive thing.

Brinson has long been a guy with incredible raw talent that either his lack of plate discipline or injury issues held back. His 2017 was the latter more than the former, as he did hit .331/.400/.562 when healthy with good power and speed in the minors, but his major league debut didn’t go as well.

Brinson should take over in center field for the Marlins, likely working at or near the top of the lineup with good zone recognition skills, but at times an overly aggressive approach that will probably be more forgivable in this season’s young Marlins lineup.

18. Brendan Rodgers, SS, Colorado Rockies

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 8/9/1996 (21)
Likely 2018 opening level: AA
Info: Rodgers has always been known for his bat, with some in the 2015 draft considering him a better draft choice than Dansby Swanson and Alex Bregman in the same draft class. Rodgers opened 2017 on a roll with the bat, hitting nearly .400 in high-A before he was promoted.

Rodgers opened 2017 on a roll with the bat

Rodgers has a natural quick swing that leaves the bat in the zone for quite a long time, allowing him to have consistent quality batting average, and his above-average power allows for gap power with 20-ish home run projection, though there’s certainly more if Rodgers fills out off of shortstop.

Rodgers is a middle infield guy, though some are not certain of his long-term future at short due to his range and footwork. He’ll likely open at AA and move quickly up to AAA in the 2018 season, likely working to the majors in 2019.

17. Triston McKenzie, RHP, Cleveland Indians

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 8/2/1997 (20)
Likely 2018 opening level: AA
Info: Many thought that the gangly, tall McKenzie would be a long-term project out of high school in Florida, needing to fill into his long frame before he could advance and be counted on.

Instead, McKenzie’s stuff has matured while his body remains a lean 6’5″, 165-170 pounds. He has seen his velocity stabilize in starts better, holding his low-90s stuff deeper in games, touching 95-96 with very high spin on the pitch. He tosses an above average curve and has learned how to sequence his change, even if his pitch isn’t as advanced as it could be in its raw movement.

McKenzie will head to AA in 2018, but he still has some questions whether his body can hold up to a starter’s workload long term, even though he has some of the most elite raw stuff in the game.

16. Walker Buehler, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 7/28/1994 (23)
Likely 2018 opening level: MLB
Info: Buehler worked his way all the way to the major leagues in 2017. Buehler was an outstanding prospect in high school, but his strong commitment to Vanderbilt led to him making his way to college and having a storied collegiate career before falling victim to injury in his draft season and falling to the 24th overall selection.

The Dodgers found Buehler needed Tommy John surgery upon his selection, and he missed essentially the entire 2016 season. He returned to the mound in 2017 with velocity that he’d not seen before, with a fastball that sat in the upper 90s, touching 102 at the very top end after sitting more low-90s with a top end of 96-97 before surgery.

Buehler has a dominant pair of breaking pitches and above average control, but his injury history and his lack of “meat on the bone” worries scouts about his ability to remain as a starter.

The Dodgers could open Buehler in a long-relief role in 2018 to allow him to build innings at the major league level, akin to the way the Minnesota Twins used Johan Santana and Francisco Liriano when they first came up to the big leagues.

Next: #11-15

15. Francisco Mejia, C, Cleveland Indians

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 10/27/1995 (22)
Likely 2018 opening level: AAA
Info: Mejia gained national notoriety from a 50-game hitting streak in 2016, but he was known by many prospect hounds well before then, as he’s shown a cannon for an arm behind the plate for a number of seasons with the ability to contact the ball at a consistent rate as well.

He continued to hit in 2017, flashing more power than he’d shown previously while hitting in AA, making solid hard contact from both sides of the plate. He doesn’t walk a ton, but he also doesn’t strike out much either, with a contact-oriented approach at the plate.

The Indians tried Mejia at third base in 2017 due to his plus arm, and he’s far from a plus defender, but having the versatility to play both will allow him to get to the majors and stick as he’s still more arm than glove behind the plate and may need multiple years of work behind the plate yet, while his bat could be ready soon. Mejia will certainly play both positions in AAA this season and get some run in the majors this year at some point.

14. Sixto Sanchez, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 7/29/1998 (19)
Likely 2018 opening level: high-A
Info: The Phillies farm system boasts a wealth of Latin arms, but the best one was likely one of the cheapest, as Sanchez signed for just $35,000 out of the Dominican. He had a monster season in 2016 in the Gulf Coast League, and he followed that up with a big year in his first year of full-season ball.

Sixto’s 6′ stature scares some scouts, but watching him pitch, you’d never know that he’s one of the hardest throwers in the game, with a delivery that is as repeatable as it is smooth. From that delivery, he pops out mid-90s average fastballs, toppling the triple digit mark on occasion each start.

Sanchez also works with a change that flashes plus and a slider with good break but still a work in progress. Right now, Sixto’s plus command and control allows him to work primarily off of his fastball and keep his walk numbers miniscule.

While he has some time to get there, Sanchez is already one of the most exciting arms in the game and could be a front line starter in the end.

13. Mitch Keller, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 4/4/1996 (21)
Likely 2018 opening level: AA
Info: Asking around to scouts who had a chance to get to the AFL along with cover other areas nationally who their top pitcher they saw was usually led to Keller’s name being discussed. While he may not have had the most impressive start every time out, it seemed he was in that discussion for the best that each veteran scout had seen on the year.

Keller works with a fasatball that sits mid-90s and can touch 99, and he saw his command of the fastball begin to catch up to his control of the pitch in 2017. He works his fastball with a plus curve and a change that showed average to above-average in season but was the talk of nearly everyone who saw him in the AFL – positive or negative. The change showed so well it was notable or so average/bland that it was notable for those who saw him in Arizona.

Keller has frontline projection in his raw stuff due to his ability to pound the zone with the ball on top of the raw movement of his pitches. He will head back to AA after a brief exposure there in 2017 and could end up in AAA by the end of 2018.

12. Michael Kopech, RHP, Chicago White Sox

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 4/30/1996 (21)
Likely 2018 opening level: AAA
Info: The hardest thrower in the minor leagues could be up for debate, but one of the leading candidates would certainly be Kopech. He has a legit triple digit fastball that the White Sox had Kopech pair with a two-seam sinking heater that came in in the upper 90s and seemed to help him with getting better spin on the four-seamer.

The 2017 season was Kopech’s first full year without major injury or suspension

Kopech works off of his heat with a slider and a nasty change that both play very well when his command and control is at its best, though he had moments where that was a definite struggle. The 2017 season was Kopech’s first full year without major injury or suspension, however, so inconsistency is not a surprise.

Kopech will hope to have a more level season of performances in 2018 in AAA, and if he could do that, he could end up in the majors by season’s end in the rotation.

11. Forrest Whitley, RHP, Houston Astros

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 9/15/1997 (20)
Likely 2018 opening level: AA
Info: A tall, thick righty, many felt Whitley might be a project, which led to him dropping down in the first round, but he dedicated himself to his conditioning, taking himself from significantly out of shape to a legit athlete on the mound, seeing his stuff tick up alongside.

Whitley has incredible raw stuff, with a fastball touching the upper 90s and a slider that can touch 90 as well with ridiculous movement and plane, and then he throws in a 80ish MPH curve with huge break to completely toy with hitters.

Whitley works with a cutter and change that are also at least average. He has certain frontline projection, and once he returns from a stimulant suspension to open the season, he will be playing in the upper minors.

Next: #6-10

10. Kyle Tucker, OF, Houston Astros

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 1/17/1997 (21)
Likely 2018 opening level: AA
Info: Tucker was well known in high school for his power and approach at the plate. He displayed that early in his pro career with an excellent ability to make contact and take a walk. He adjusted his approach in 2017 and saw his batting average dip some, but also crushed balls to the tune of 25 home runs on the season.

Tucker is a player that gets overlooked often due to the fact that many have been hearing his name since he was about a high school sophomore, so there’s some prospect fatigue with him. He put up a 20/20 season in 2017 with 25 home runs and 21 stolen bases utilizing his average speed but above-average baseball acumen.

Tucker has played center field due to those excellent baseball instincts, but he will likely play better as a corner guy long-term. He’ll get some more time at AA to start 2018, but will likely finish the season at AAA at 21 with a chance to impress in Houston by the end of the year.

9. Bo Bichette, SS, Toronto Blue Jays

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 3/5/1998 (20)
Likely 2018 opening level: AA
Info: While the impressive performance of Guerrero in the Midwest League was somewhat expected based on his pedigree and signing bonus, the season that Bichette had blew everyone out of the water.

A second round pick who wasn’t near that high on a number of teams’ draft boards due to defensive concerns and concerns with his swing, Bichette simply went about nearly hitting .400 in the Midwest League before moving up to high-A and still hitting well. While he doesn’t offer huge power at the plate, he pounds the gaps with hard line drives that should lead to high doubles totals and 15-20 home run power as well.

Defensively, Bichette answered a lot of questions by not answering them. He didn’t show off great range, and at times his hands weren’t the greatest, but he showed excellent instincts, and I cannot recall the number of times that I noted Bichette taking a step or two in the direction of where a ball was eventually hit as the pitch was released. Those kind of instincts on the game could allow him to stick at short, but he’s certainly shown that he could handle an up-the-middle position.

Bichette will look to continue his breakout 2017 at AA in 2018.

8. Gleyber Torres, SS, New York Yankees

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 12/13/1996 (21)
Likely 2018 opening level: MLB
Info: Just as he was within a stone’s throw of his dream, Torres ended up popping his elbow, needing Tommy John surgery on his non-trowing elbow in June. After an offseason recovering, Torres reports he’s healthy.

Torres flashed the ability to hit for average and power before his surgery, continuing progress he showed in the Arizona Fall League in 2016 when he took the league by storm. Torres has the ability to put up average, power, patience at the plate, and still plenty of offensive ceiling to achieve.

Defensively, Torres could certainly handle shortstop, though the Yankees have a darned good one already in Didi Gregorius. He also showed before his surgery that his above-average arm would work at third base. His best route to the opening day roster could end up being second base in 2018.

7. Fernando Tatis, Jr., SS, San Diego Padres

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 1/2/1999 (19)
Likely 2018 opening level: AA
Info: Years from now, we could be looking at the deal that brought Tatis into the Padres system similarly to how we view the deal that sent Larry Anderson to the Red Sox and Jeff Bagwell to the Astros. Tatis has shown himself to be a complete talent, with both power and speed along with an impressive amount of bat speed.

Tatis showed incredible adjustments for an 18 year old in his first full season in 2017, as he truly developed pitch and zone recognition on the fly to the point where he was one of the more disciplined hitters in the Midwest League when he was promoted to AA for the playoffs.

Tatis primarily survives on baseball instincts both on the bases and in the field currently, which leads many to believe that he will eventually move to third base and be more of a guy who offers 5-10 stolen bases than 20, but the hit tool and power tool are such that they should more than make up for that, and he’s already displayed an excellent ability to grow within a season, so putting any sort of cap on him at this point would be foolish.

The Padres will likely decide between high-A and AA to open the season based on how Tatis performs this spring, but if his 2017 is any indication, he’ll be opening in the Texas League.

6. Nick Senzel, 3B, Cincinnati Reds

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 6/29/1995 (22)
Likely 2018 opening level: AAA
Info: When a player is drafted with an assumed mature hitting approach, he’s given a lot of expectation to move quickly. That pressure can sometimes unfairly tag a player who is performing very well with unfair tags, so when some who scout the stat line only viewed Senzel’s line against his reputation, they assumed he was not performing as well as his pre-draft reputation had led to believe.

Senzel could not have done much more on the field (in 2017)

In fact, Senzel could not have done much more on the field. Senzel has surprising speed on the bases, even though he’s only an average runner in any raw running test. He’s got an extremely high baseball acumen, with an incredible idea of what is going on at all times in the game and adjusting his approach at the plate and on the field to accommodate.

Senzel has been getting run at shortstop in spring training, and if he can be even adequate there, he could open the season in the majors. Otherwise, he should not need long in AAA to force the team’s hand at another infield position to get his ability and moxie both on the team.

Now to the final five…

Next: #1-5

5. Victor Robles, OF, Washington Nationals

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 5/19/1997 (20)
Likely 2018 opening level: AAA
Info: In many farm systems, Robles would be playing the Super 2 dance this spring, preparing himself to take over a major league job once June hits. For Robles, he’s preparing for a full season of…preparing.

Robles may not be the player Bryce Harper is, but most likely, he’s going to be the answer the Nationals have when Harper leaves to free agency after 2018. Robles will come up to take over center field with his plus defensive abilities, move Adam Eaton to right, where he had an incredible defensive season in 2016, and all will be well in Nationals land.

Well, all will be well once fans realize what a tremendous talent they have in their hands in Robles. While he won’t likely ever develop plus power, he should be a guy who hits double digit home runs and offers plus speed in the field and on the bases along with an elite contact tool and impressive plate discipline.

Robles will be toiling at AAA to open the season, but with the general health records of the starters on the big club in the outfield, it’s quite feasible that he plays a part in the 2018 Nationals success.

4. Eloy Jimenez, OF, Chicago White Sox

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 11/27/1996 (21)
Likely 2018 opening level: AA
Info: Eloy was one of the most exciting batting practice performers in the minor leagues in 2017 with no outfield signage, lights, or netting safe from his displays.

The White Sox netted Jimenez as the headliner of the Jose Quintana deal this summer, and he immediately stepped into the position of the top prospect in the system. Jimenez at the plate reminds many of Manny Ramirez, and sadly, that comparison carries over to his defensive side as well as Jimenez is a below-average defender no matter where in the outfield he plays.

Jimenez’s ability to hit for contact and power at a plus level makes him a middle-of-the-lineup presence that should arrive quickly in Chicago, perhaps as soon as 2018.

3. Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., 3B, Toronto Blue Jays

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 3/16/1999 (19)
Likely 2018 opening level: AA
Info: While his father was recently elected to the Hall of Fame and may have had one of the most incredible all-around tool sets of any player in history, Vlad Jr. could be the superior hitter of the two when all is said and done.

Guerrero balances an incredible hit tool at the plate, seemingly able to generate quality barrel contact anywhere within the zone, with power that can absolutely crush a ball when he sits back on a ball and unleashes.

The most impressive part of an 18 year-old player climbing through two levels of A ball in 2017 for Guerrero wasn’t his .323 average or his doubles, it was the fact that he led all qualified minor league hitters in on base with a .425 mark. That level of patience and zone judgement from a player in his first full season is absolutely unheard of from any scouts I chatted with.

Watching Guerrero in the field was much less the majesty that swinging the bat was, but he made significant strides there in 2017 as well, with some show that he could end up sticking at third due to his reactions, but his size may push him to first base in the end, though with his hitting, he’s perfectly suited for the position’s offensive requirements.

At just 19 years old, Guerrero will start his 2018 in AA.

2. Shohei Ohtani, RHP/DH, Los Angeles Angels

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 7/5/1994 (23)
Likely 2018 opening level: MLB
Info: One of the most-hyped Asian prospects to ever hit major league baseball, Ohtani could be one of the first players in ages to both regularly pitch and hit on days when he’s not pitching.

Ohtani on the mound is an incredible talent, with a fastball that can touch 102, and while the pitch doesn’t have much wiggle, he locates it very well. He pairs that velocity with a plus split-finger that is quite filthy and will draw plenty of swing and miss.

Ohtani also throws a curve, slider, and a change, and the Angels will work with him on ensuring his repertoire is not interfering with the performance of his top pitches.

At the plate, Ohtani has impressive power and patience at the plate. His swing can get loopy at times, swinging for the fences, and he’s not had a lot of exposure to being pitched inside, but he has the ability to hit for impressive power while he’s at the plate.

The Angels will have Ohtani with them from Opening Day, and here’s hoping he stays healthy, because he should be mighty fun to watch.

1. Ronald Acuna, OF, Atlanta Braves

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 12/18/1997 (20)
Likely 2018 opening level: AAA
Info: Acuna was not a “big money” signing when the Braves signed him out of Venezuela in 2014. Acuna played nearly straight through from the point he made a major impact in the Australian winter league all the way through the season, but if it’s possible, he simply continued to get better and better.

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Acuna opened the season in high-A Florida, but he was able to move up to AA, and he did very well with the promotion, well enough to earn another promotion up to AAA, and he finished the season with a total of 21 home runs, 44 stolen bases, and a .896 OPS across three levels.

The Braves sent Acuna to the Arizona Fall League, where he was the league’s MVP after hitting .325/.414/.639 with 7 home runs over 23 games against some of the best prospects in all of baseball.

Acuna will take over a starting job in Atlanta, whether that’s after two weeks or after a month, or whether the team waits until Super 2 cutoff around June. The Braves have the luxury of a few options to handle an outfield spot for a short time, but Acuna could hit so well this spring that he forces that issue as well!

Next: 2017's top 25 prospects

So that concludes our countdown of the 150 MLB top prospects in all of the game going into the 2018 season. Is there someone you believe was missed? Someone you think should be higher? Lower? Comment below!