MLB Top Prospects: Top 10 RHP prospects for 2018
10. Alex Reyes, St. Louis Cardinals
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 8/29/1994 (23)
2018 level: Disabled List
Info: Reyes was a legit top-5 player in early lists for the 2017 season before he popped his elbow in February and ended up having Tommy John surgery and missing the entire 2017 season. He is working his way back to the mound in games, which should happen by mid-2018.
Before his injury, there was reason Reyes was considered one of MLB top prospects
Before his injury, there was reason Reyes was considered one of MLB top prospects. He had a fastball that could run up to triple digits without a lot of effort and sat in the upper 90s. It’s not just the fastball, though, as Reyes has a tremendous arsenal of pitches.
Reyes’ best offspeed pitch is his hammer curve that leaves batters weak in the knees, but he saw his change that works around 88-90 MPH begin to show as an above-average to plus pitch in games in 2016. He even used the pitch out of the bullpen for the Cardinals, showing his trust in the pitch as part of a true three-pitch repertoire.
The Cardinals wanted to ease Reyes back into things, and seeing Jordan Hicks come up and have success in the role that many assumed Reyes could ease into this season at the major league level could give the opportunity for Reyes to spend the entire year starting in the minor leagues.
9. Mike Soroka, Atlanta Braves
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 8/4/1997 (20)
2018 level: AAA Gwinnett Stripers
Info: While many pitchers on MLB top prospects lists will have velocity readings on their fastball in the upper 90s, that’s simply not what Soroka does on the mound. Instead, he’s a pitcher who has 5 listed pitches – two-seamer, four-seamer, slider, curve, and change, but he can manipulate them such that he really shows you 8-9 looks on how the ball will break, meaning hitters really have no idea what is coming.
The Braves challenged Soroka with a move up to AA as a teenager in 2017, and he responded by simply being one of the most mature pitchers on the mound in AA. This in spite of the fact that Soroka has yet to face a batter younger than him as a professional since being drafted in 2015.
While his stuff may not lead to 300 strikeouts in any season of his career, and he may not be the type that ever puts up a triple-digit velocity pitch on the scoreboard, Soroka is a guy who could front a rotation for many years in the way he approaches his work on the mound. Braves brass are already in love with him, and it would not surprise at all if he was in the Atlanta rotation by midseason, still not yet old enough to legally purchase alcohol!
Next: #7 and #8