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