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.
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