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!
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!