2. Sandy Alcantara, RHP
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 9/7/1995 (22)
2017 teams/levels played for: AA Springfield Cardinals, MLB St. Louis Cardinals
2017 Stats: Minors: 25 G, 22 GS, 125 1/3 IP, 4.31 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 9.7% BB, 19.1% K; Majors: 8 G, 8 1/3 IP, 4.32 ERA, 1.80 WHIP, 15.4% BB, 25.6% K
Info: Long and lanky, Alcantara has incredible raw stuff that made its way to the major leagues for the first time in 2017 with the Cardinals. He was the prime prospect in the return the Miami Marlins received for Ozuna, and he could find his way to the Marlins rotation by the end of the season.
Alcantara struggles with his command and control due to his length in his limbs, but the pure stuff is incredible with a fastball that can easily eclipse 100 and works in the upper 90s frequently. He pairs that with a hard breaking ball that gets a lot of weak contact.
The 2017 season saw Alcantara’s change take a huge step forward to the point where many labeled it a plus pitch in starts. He certainly could have a future as a starter with a quality 3-pitch mix.
The Miami Marlins will most likely open Alcantara in AAA to start 2018, but he could definitely jump up to the majors in a hurry if he can show consistent command and control of his arsenal.
1. Lewis Brinson, OF
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 5/8/1994 (23)
2017 teams/levels played for: AAA Colorado Springs Sky Sox, MLB Milwaukee Brewers
2017 Stats: Minors: .331/.400/.562, 340 PA, 13 HR, 11 SB, 32/62 BB/K; Majors: .106/.236/.277, 55 PA, 2 HR, 1 SB, 7/17 BB/K
Info: Brinson has always been considered an incredible athlete, from the time he was a first-round selection of the Texas Rangers in 2012. Like a number of players with more athleticism than baseball skill, Brinson took his time moving up levels, though the Rangers did push him to full-season ball in his first post-draft season.
Brinson is a legit center fielder with easy plus range and an excellent arm in the outfield
After showing well in AAA in 2016 after the Brewers acquired him from the Rangers, he opened the season there in 2017 and was incredibly impressive, hitting .331/.400/.562 with 13 home runs and 11 steals, earning him multiple looks in the majors, though those looks weren’t exactly great.
Brinson is a legit center fielder with easy plus range and an excellent arm in the outfield and should rome the Miami outfield immediately out of spring training in 2018. His defensive skills may need to be on display, however, with likely average to below-average defenders next to him in the outfield.
Brinson took a huge step forward in 2017 in controlling the strike zone, and this will allow him to tap into his power and speed even better offensively. While he struggled in the majors in his stints in 2017, he should be able to showcase himself with the Miami Marlins in 2018.
Next: Newcomer to watch