MLB Top Prospects: Top 10 SS Prospects for 2018
10. Jorge Mateo, Oakland Athletics
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 6/23/1995 (22)
2018 level: AAA Nashville Sounds
Info: Mateo has been a strong performer in the lower levels of the minor leagues, but he struggled in the upper levels until 2017, when he exploded in production following a promotion to AA after his third go-round in high-A.
Mateo has the raw power to put enough balls into gaps that his speed could lead to double digits in doubles and triples (…) as well as league-leading stolen base production
While Mateo has been among the MLB top prospects for years, he’s wavered where he ranks in those lists due to concerns about how his defense will translate. He’s struggled with getting going almost too fast and making routine plays into errors. With work, he’s really pushed himself forward in that regard, with many believing he’ll be passable at short and even plus at center field or second base with his plus arm being an asset along with his speed in center field.
Mateo is working to making more consistent contact and protect the zone at the plate. If he can do that, Mateo has the raw power to put enough balls into gaps that his speed could lead to double digits in doubles and triples each season as well as league-leading stolen base production.
Mateo will work in AAA on his zone recognition and likely some further work on other positions around the diamond, as the A’s value defensive versatility in their players. He should be an impact on the major league base paths by early in 2019.
9. Nick Gordon, Minnesota Twins
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 10/24/1995 (22)
2018 level: AA Chattanooga Lookouts
Info: Gordon has tremendous bloodlines, but the high-velocity arm his father had and the double-plus speed his brother displays led to many believing Nick would offer something in the same realm, but that’s not the player he is.
Instead, Nick is more steady at everything, a player who won’t ever be a plus shortstop, but should be a consistent performer at the position, with a whole tool box full of tools rated at 50 or better on the scouting 20 to 80 scale (50 is major league average grade). Having the ability to receive an average MLB grade nearly across the board will usually indicate a future as an above-average major leaguer.
Gordon struggled some wearing down in the second half of 2017 and with lefty arms. He’s got the ability to pound the gaps while tallying 15-20 steals due to his raw speed, though he’s not got great base stealing instincts.
The Twins have worked Gordon on both sides of the bag due to his average-ish defense at shortstop, and he’s slightly above-average at second, but he’s still a work in progress.
Next: #7 and #8