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.
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