Love Me, Hate Me—MLB.com
High on:
- OF Austin Hays, Orioles–#23, avg. ranking of 54.0
- C Carson Kelly, Cardinals–#46, avg. ranking of 66.7
- 1B Ryan McMahon, Rockies–#41, avg. ranking of 61.2
- RHP Franklin Perez, Tigers–#39, avg. ranking of 58.7
- OF Leodys Taveras, Rangers–#34, avg. ranking of 52.0
Low on:
- SS Nick Gordon, Twins–#80, avg. ranking of 60.8
- OF Jahmai Jones, Angels–#93, avg. ranking of 74.8
- SS J.P. Crawford, Phillies–#37, avg. ranking of 21.3
- RHP Corbin Burnes, Brewers–#69, avg. ranking of 55.0
- INF Jorge Mateo, Athletics–#72, avg. ranking of 59.7
The Baseball America and MLB.com lists were the most closely correlated and this can be seen with the guys they are both high and low on. MLB.com has Austin Hays ranked #23, which is very close to Baseball America’s #21 ranking for Hays. Three other sources have Hays ranked #72 or worse. They are also both down on Nick Gordon, more so than the other sources.
Hays split time last season in High-A and Double-A before getting into 20 games for the Orioles as a September call-up. He didn’t hit much with the O’s but the depth chart projections at Fangraphs see him being a league average hitter in the big leagues this year, should the Orioles keep him on their MLB roster. He’s projected to hit .277/.310/.460 in 161 plate appearances. MLB.com believes “Hays is on the fast track to becoming an impact, everyday player at the highest level.”
Gordon was ranked #30 on the MLB.com list in 2017 but is now ranked #80. He spent all of last season at the Double-A level and showed more power than he had in the past, but also struck out more often (23.2 percent strikeout rate). He’s the brother of speedy Dee Gordon but not nearly as accomplished a base stealer. In four minor league seasons, he’s stolen 68 bases but has been caught 35 times. With a good year in Triple-A, Gordon will be ready to take over second base in Minnesota when Brian Dozier leaves as a free agent after this season.