MLB Top Prospects: the top 150 prospects in MLB for 2019

150. Jake Rogers, C, Detroit Tigers

Acquired as part of the return last season when the Tigers traded Justin Verlander to Houston, Rogers has a very high floor as a catcher with some of the best all-around defensive skills in the entire minor leagues. Add in legit plus plower, and there’s a definite major league future here. Whether that future is as a regular or backup, and then what type of regular he could become, all depends on his ability to make contact after hitting .219 in AA in 2018 but also pounding out 17 home runs.

149. Tyler Nevin, 3B/1B, Colorado Rockies

Former first-round pick out of high school in 2015 that has taken his time developing, but had a breakthrough season in 2018 in the Cal League and finished off by going bonkers in the Arizona Fall League, hitting .426/.535/.593. Nevin has good glove work at first base and a penchant for putting the barrel to the ball, but a line drive approach that is more likely to tally plenty of doubles than a lot of home runs.

148. Elehuris Montero, 3B, St. Louis Cardinals

Still just a teenager for the 2018 season, Montero hit across both A-ball levels, showing impressive power. He may eventually work his way off third base as he fills out more, but the bat is certainly impressive.

147. Daulton Varsho, C, Arizona Diamondbacks

One of the more athletic backstops in the minors, Varsho fought through some injury in 2018, but it didn’t end up hampering his final line as he hit 12 home runs and stole 19 bases before stealing 8 bases in the Arizona Fall League. While his defense behind the plate is still not fully there, he’s a guy who could jump from AA to the majors quite reasonably in 2019.

146. Franklin Perez, RHP, Detroit Tigers

Only getting in 7 starts and 19 1/3 innings due to coming back from injury in 2018, Perez showed the same velocity as before surgery, but the movement wasn’t there, which is certainly something to watch. Still just 21 in 2019, he’ll have plenty of leash to work with in the Tigers system.

145. Grayson Rodriguez, RHP, Baltimore Orioles

A name that just seemed to keep rising up prep draft rankings all spring, Rodriguez is probably tapped out on his physical projection, but that’s perfectly fine, as he’s 6’5″ and 220 pounds. He showed excellent stuff in his 19 1/3 innings of pro debut and his ceiling is very, very high.

144. Dane Dunning, RHP, Chicago White Sox

Former Florida Gator has established himself as a workhorse arm, but struggled through some nicks and dings in 2018 that limited his innings. Already 24 this season and likely to start out at AA, he’s really only placed here due to that age, but he’s got a very real shot at a mid-rotation job in two years.

143. Tony Santillan, RHP, Cincinnati Reds

Big, hard-throwing righty put things together in 2018 the way the team had hoped he would since drafting him in 2015 out of high school in Texas. His high velocity may not show up in high strikeout numbers due to use of a heavy sinker that works in the upper 90s over a four-seamer, but his repertoire should advance quickly and could play well in Cincy’s home park.

142. J.B. Bukauskas, RHP, Houston Astros

One of the biggest worries that scouts had with Bukauskas coming out of the University of North Carolina wasnt necessarily his small stature, but the combination of that stature with a powerful delivery that seemed to use every ounce of his energy. He was only able to pitch 59 innings in 2018 due to injuries, and that will be a worry, but when he has been on the mound so far in his career, he’s been electric.

141. Daniel Lynch, LHP, Kansas City Royals

It’s wise to take some guys who add significant velocity with a grain of salt, and Lynch did that in his final year at Virginia, which could be why I have him still in this range after a dominant pro debut. He has the long (6’6″) frame to be a dynamic force from the left side if his new-found mid-90s velocity sticks.

140. Akil Baddoo, OF, Minnesota Twins

An incredibly talented athlete in high school in Georgia, the Twins were delighted to grab Baddoo in the 2nd round. Hes shown exceptional plate control and a fascinating blend of power and speed thus far in his minor league career. In 2018, in low-A, he hit 22 doubles, 11 triples, 11 home runs, and stole 24 bases while posting a .351 on base. Add in excellent center field defense, and it’s easy to see why the Twins are very high on this young man’s future!

139. Adonis Medina, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies

Dropped by a lot of places in their rankings this season, Medina really did what he’s been doing for some time with stuff that has exciting movement but a tendency to flatten out when he over-pitches. He’ll get his first taste of upper minors in 2019.

138. Marco Luciano, SS, San Francisco Giants

Considered the top teenager on the international market this year, Luciano signed with the Giants and will be brought along slowly, but with tremendous athleticism and speed along with plus raw power, Luciano could be the jewel of the Giants farm system in short order.

137. Nate Lowe, 1B, Tampa Bay Rays

If Lowe played anywhere but just first base defensively, he’d be an easy top-100 consensus prospect, and perhaps even among the top 50. However, a first base only guy who is more reliable going to gaps than over the fence is a profile that many major league teams simply don’t have a role for. Lowe was able to power our 27 home runs in 2018, but that was nearly 3 times his previous career total, so he is one to watch in 2019 as he’ll likely start in AAA and could make some noise for a big league promotion early on.

136. Jeter Downs, IF, Los Angeles Dodgers

Incredible athlete that showed well as a teenager in the Midwest League, showing power (13 HR) and speed (37 SB). His future position is in question, but he does handle either side of the keystone very well.

135. Ethan Hankins, RHP, Cleveland Indians

Considered a possible selection at #1 overall in the 2018 draft, Hankins had an injury scare early in the 2018 spring season, and it scared off many teams. He was showing well by the end of spring and struck out 6 over 3 innings for the Indians Arizona Rookie League team.

134. Greyson Jenista, OF, Atlanta Braves

Coming into his draft season for Wichita State, Jenista was considered one of the top college bats available. He had a solid, albeit not spectacular, season, and saw his stock slip to the second round, where the Braves grabbed him. He hit well enough to work all the way up to high-A in his draft season, and his advanced bat should allow him to move quickly through the Braves system.

133. Stephen Gonsalves, LHP, Minnesota Twins

Consistently underrated as a prospect, Gonsalves struggled in his pro debut due to control struggles, something that had not been an issue for him in the minor leagues. With a fastball that can reach mid-90s but sits more in the low-90s with excellent movement, Gonsalves is most likely a mid-rotation option from the left side and should compete for a rotation spot in 2019.

132. Nick Neidert, RHP, Miami Marlins

Neidert was a high school draftee from Georgia by the Mariners, but he never developed the velocity many had projected for him. Instead, he’s developed into an excellent pitcher, utilizing sequencing and a collection of above-average pitches to keep hitters off base. Neidert’s upside may be that of a mid-rotation arm, but he certainly should make the majors at this point, which is just how high his floor has reached.

131. Lazaro Armenteros, OF, Oakland Athletics

One of a group of impressive athletic outfielders in the Oakland Athletics system, Armenteros opened the season in extended spring before heading out to the Midwest League, but he showed his impressive athleticism with 8 home runs and 8 steals over 79 games.

130. Xavier Edwards, SS, San Diego Padres

One of the premier athletes in the 2018 high school draft class, Edwards was the Padres selection with the #38 overall pick, and he was incredible in his pro debut, putting up a .453 OBP and stealing 22 bases. The switch-hitter will play in full season ball in 2019, and he should get time at both second and short.

129. Ronaldo Hernandez, C, Tampa Bay Rays

Hernandez put up big power numbers in the Midwest League at 20 years old, knocking out 21 home runs without showing big swing and miss. He has quite a ways to go behind the plate, but the bat is such that he could have a future even if he has to move out from behind the plate.

128. Jahmai Jones, 2B, Los Angeles Angels

Moving from the outfield to second base did nothing to hurt Jones’ future stock, as he showed his willingness to do whatever the team needed. He got to AA in 2018, flashing power and speed, and he showed out in the Arizona Fall League, with many considering him to have the best raw speed in the entire AFL.

127. Oneil Cruz, SS, Pittsburgh Pirates

While a 6’6″ guy working at shortstop isn’t something that’s normally seen, Cruz hasn’t shown any reason that he should be pushed off the position by any means, with excellent coordination and hands. He flashed big power, and though his take-off speed isn’t great due to his long legs, once he’s underway, he has excellent speed, which led to 7 triples on the season for him.

126. Cavan Biggio, IF, Toronto Blue Jays

Though his swing is long and likely won’t ever lead to a .300 hitter, Biggio has excellent realization of the strike zone, drawing 100 walks in 2018 before posting a .405 OBP in the Arizona Fall League. Biggio has been playing around the field to get him experience that could allow him to fast-track to the big leagues in 2019, where his big left-handed bat could provide instant impact.

125. Cole Winn, RHP, Texas Rangers

Drafted 15th overall this past June, Winn didn’t pitch at all this year, which is common with the Rangers and newly drafted arms. Winn’s curve received big praise this spring, registering high spin rates and showing solid command of the pitch along with his mid-90s fastball.

124. Vidal Brujan, 2B, Tampa Bay Rays

Coming seemingly out of nowhere in 2018, the diminuitive Brujan hit .320/.403/.459 acros both A-ball levels at just 20. Brujan has elite speed for certain, but he’s really only got a home on the diamond at second base due to his size. He could leap forward as impact speed is a rare commodity in the game now, but color me still skeptical on his future role, in spite of the obvious raw talents.

123. Austin Hays, OF, Baltimore Orioles

Hays had a huge 2017 in his first full season, but injuries and pressing too hard once he returned led to big struggles on his 2018 season. Hays showed his power when he returned in August, hitting 10 doubles and 6 home runs over 32 games. He could potentially compete for a starting role with the big league club in spring training.

122. Luis Alexander Basabe, OF, Chicago White Sox

After struggling in his first year in Chicago’s system, Basabe pushed through with a very solid season in 2018, hitting 15 home runs and stealing 16 bases while also putting up a .354 on base and playing solid center field defense. Basabe is a guy who is average to above-average across the board, including his center field defense, and that can be a valuable 4th outfielder or second-division starter.

121. Taylor Widener, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks

One of those college arms that the Yankee farm system did a great job of developing before he was traded, Widener has an impressive fastball and collection of pitches that profile as a mid-rotation arm that has flown under the radar in general, but he could find himself in the majors by the end of 2019.

120. Peter Lambert, RHP, Colorado Rockies

Lambert is an excellent pitcher with a good array of pitches that could be the next guy to get to Colorado and find success after struggling his way up the hitter-friendly Rockies minor league system. He has excellent command and limits damage, reaching AAA at 21.

119. Michael Chavis, 3B, Boston Red Sox

Chavis had a big breakthrough in 2017 with 31 home runs, but then he ended up getting a PED suspension that delayed the start of his 2018 season until after July. He did hit well once he returned, but he’s continued to struggle defensively at third, making a position change likely in the near future, though at just 5’10”, he could be on the short side for first base.

118. Kyle Muller, LHP, Atlanta Braves

Yes, the Braves have another pitching prospect establishing himself on the national scene. It would not surprise at all if Muller ends up a top-100 guy on a consensus basis by midseason. The big Texas lefty jumped up both A-ball levels and put in a handful of starts in AA at 20. He’s got a mid-rotation projection, but he’s shown a lot in the last year that could allow him to potentially be even more.

117. Ryan McKenna, OF, Baltimore Orioles

The Arizona Fall League confirmed what anyone seeing McKenna in the Carolina League this year already knew – the kid can just flat hit. It’s doubtful that McKenna ever is an elite base stealer or hits for big home run numbers, but he is a guy who makes very good contact, gets on base, plays plus defense, and is an excellent base runner. He could move up to AAA this season and make a push for the top of the Orioles lineup by the end of 2019.

116. Luis Oviedo, RHP, Cleveland Indians

A great example of the recent tremendous work by the Cleveland scouting department in the international market, Oviedo is a long, lanky guy with incredible raw stuff that was able to put it together very well in the New York-Penn League in 2018. He’ll get his first shot at full-season ball in 2019, but with his stuff, he could potentially move quickly.

115. Khalil Lee, OF, Kansas City Royals

Incredibly gifted as an athlete, many thought Lee would go to college to play multiple sports, but instead he signed with the Royals after being a 3rd round pick. Lee has power, speed, defense, plate discipline, and youth all on his side, reaching AA in 2018 at just 20 years old, but he did struggle to make contact in AA and also in the Arizona Fall League. If he can even be a .260-.270 hitter, he could be a potential star for the Royals.

114. Brandon Marsh, OF, Los Angeles Angels

Marsh has ridiculous raw talent, and he pushed up to high-A last year in what was really his first full season after playing just short-season ball in 2017 after being a 2nd round pick in 2016. Marsh has the build of a fullback, but he can chase down anything in the outfield with at least plus, if not fringe double-plus, speed. The biggest issue for Marsh will be controlling the strike zone. In an effort to take more walks in 2018, he seemed to become passive at times and that led to plenty of strikeouts. Being more aggressive on prime pitches to hit early in the count could lead to a big leap up this list in 2019.

113. Brent Rooker, 1B, Minnesota Twins

One of the more entertaining Twitter follows in minor league baseball, Rooker certainly has slipped under the radar even of Twins evaluators, who seem to pass him over in consideration for prospects that could make a difference in 2019. His work in AA was perhaps expected, with 22 home runs and a ~.800 OPS at the plate, but to remember that this was in his first full season of pro ball at the AA level is an impressive thing to consider. He could push for big league time by the end of the year.

112. Heliot Ramos, OF, San Francisco Giants

Not many seem to want to knock Ramos for his struggles last year, and it is informative to remember that he was still younger than a number of those drafted in the 2018 draft while he was already in full-season ball, but he did show some big things to work on with a swing that definitely lengthened over the offseason between 2017 and 2018 and an overly expanded zone late in counts. With his raw power, and defensive abilities, he could be an elite right field profile down the road.

111. Evan White, 1B, Seattle Mariners

While he’s only played at first base in the minors to this point, White is one of those rare players that could handle center field as well as first base, a la Cody Bellinger. Unlike Bellinger, his contact ability and pounding the gaps are his trademarks on offense, potentially never hitting 20 home runs, but having the type of swing that could challenge for a batting title and hit 50 doubles.

110. Kevin Smith, SS, Toronto Blue Jays

While the Blue Jays drafted a first round shorstop out of college in 2017, it was their college shortstop drafted in the 4th round in that same draft that has established himself as a potential future starter north of the border. He smacked 25 home runs and stole 29 bases while hitting .302 in his first full season, jumping over both A-ball levels. He’ll get his shot at AA in 2019 and could move quickly to AAA by the end of the year, setting him up for a 2020 debut.

109. Leody Taveras, OF, Texas Rangers

The natural tools with Taveras are blatently obvious, but it may be a case that the Rangers simply pushed him too fast, as he’s struggled each of the last two seasons, first in low-A at 18 in 2017 and then in high-A at 19 in 2018. It would certainly hurt no one for the speedy defensive whiz to get another run at the Carolina League, potentially allowing his above-average contact skills to catch up.

108. Jonathan Loaisiga, RHP, New York Yankees

The small Nicaraguan righty really took big steps in 2018 after having struggled with injury previously. He didn’t have the greatest showing in the majors, but even then, he struck out 33 over 24 2/3 big league innings. Loaisiga should open 2019 in AAA, building innings into his arm to be on call for any needs in the majors.

107. Nico Hoerner, SS, Chicago Cubs

The Cubs’ lone representative on this list, Hoerner could potentially end up the first 2018 draftee to make the major leagues, depending on how his 2019 season opens up. While he was dinged up and only played 14 games in his pro debut, he showed very well in 21 games in the Arizona Fall League, and many believe he could open as high as AA, though he’s likely to open in high-A. Hoerner’s a guy without any real standout tool on the field, but he does everything well.

106. Daz Cameron, OF, Detroit Tigers

Cameron had a breakthrough in 2017 before he got to Detroit. While in some ways, his 2018 numbers were not as impressive overall, he also did this while climbing three levels of the Tigers minor league system, starting in high-A and finishing in AAA. Cameron was able to put his natural athleticism on display in the Arizona Fall League, and after spending time in the upper minors to start 2019, he could be a candidate to get some major league time by the end of the year.

105. Corbin Martin, RHP, Houston Astros

The name Corbin Montgomery Martin just rings Texas off the tongue, and after attending high school in Texas and pitching for Texas A&M, now Martin is working his way up the chain for the Houston Astros, fittingly. He has a no-frills approach on the mound, making quality pitches to attack hitters. He could move quickly to the majors after spending most of his first full pro season at AA.

104. Michel Baez, RHP, San Diego Padres

After a season that grabbed the attention of everyone in baseball, Baez blew through the Cal League, but once he got to AA, he struggled, and that led to him dropping in the ranking of many. The raw stuff from the 6’8″ righty is still there, and he’s got a high floor as a potential elite closer, but he could be a mid-rotation starter with the potential at being a frontline guy.

103. Andrew Knizner, C, St. Louis Cardinals

In a deep class of college catchers in 2016, Knizner seemed overlooked coming out of North Carolina State. He quickly went about making sure no one overlooked him again, as he simply hit and didn’t stop hitting. After putting up a .313/.368/.430 line in 2018, he’s lined up as the potential heir to the catcher role after Yadi retires currently. He’ll spend time in AAA in 2019, continuing the defensive progress he’s made since being a 7th round pick.

102. Matthew Liberatore, LHP, Tampa Bay Rays

Considered the top prep lefty in the class from the start of spring to the draft, Liberatore fell in the draft due to some worry about his bonus number, but with multiple first round picks, the Rays were willing to take the gamble at 16th overall. They were quickly rewarded with impressive pitching from their 18-year-old draftee as he struck out 37 over 32 2/3 innings with a 1.38 ERA in rookie levels. He could find his way to full-season ball in 2019.

101. Travis Swaggerty, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates

“Swaggy P” showed himself to be one of the elite raw talents in the draft, doing everything very well, though nothing at an elite level. One trusted scout told me that if Swaggerty had attended an SEC school instead of South Alabama, he’d have been the runaway #1 pick and the Andrew Benintendi comparisons would have been endless (and they are still there).

100. Kristian Robinson, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks

Part of a recent influx of Bahamian talent on the Latin market, Robinson was one of the top money signees in the 2017 international class, and he showed that was more than just hype with a tremendous performance between the Arizona Rookie League and Pioneer League at 17, hitting 7 home runs and stealing 12 bases in 57 combined games. He could open 2019 in full-season ball and may push quickly up this list.

99. Deivi Garcia, RHP, New York Yankees

Some pitchers have raw stuff and have no idea where it is. Some pitchers have plenty of perfect size, but no idea how to use their size to generate velocity and movement. Garcia has exceptional command and control of incredible stuff. The biggest knock right now is his frame, as he’s a lean 5’10”, and he’s not put a lot of innings on his arm, but with a varied pitch mix and already seeing AA time at 19, he is the clear top Yankees prospect.

98. George Valera, OF, Cleveland Indians

Originally born in New York, Valera moved to the Dominican and was signed by the Indians as one of the top players on the entire market in 2017. He was hurt for much of the 2018 season, playing just 6 games, but what he did in those six games had scouts buzzing about him and completely enthralled such that some suggested he is a top-50 talent right now.

97. Eric Pardinho, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays

The top arm on the 2017 class from Brazil may not have typical size of an elite arm, but he definitely showed well in his pro debut in the Appalachian League against mostly guys 4-5 years older than he was. He posted a 16/64 BB/K over 50 innings, and the raw stuff was absolutely impressive. The Jays are going to handle Pardinho carefully, but he has elite potential.

96. Jon Duplantier, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks

Coming out of Rice, Duplantier had an injury that scared away many potential suitors. That injury bug bit in 2018, holding Duplantier to 74 innings, but they were very good innings, followed up by an impressive performance in the Arizona Fall League, where Duplantier struck out 32 over 21 2/3 innings. He should get work at AAA this season, and if he can hold up, he’s got the potential to be a #2 down the road.

95. Nick Pratto, 1B, Kansas City Royals

Taking a high school first baseman in the first round always has some bit of worry, but when you see him then go out and put up 33 doubles, 14 home runs, and 22 stolen bases as a 19-year-old in full-season ball, some of those worries are reduced. He struggled some with strikeouts in 2018, but so much was positive that there’s plenty of room to grow here for Pratto.

94. Logan Allen, LHP, San Diego Padres

This could look quite low by the end of the season as Allen will likely compete for a starting role out of spring training, and he could be up very quickly after being just short of dominant across AA and AAA in 2018. While Allen may not have huge stuff, he knows how to use his stuff well.

93. Ronny Mauricio, SS, New York Mets

The Mets are known for having incredibly athletic shortstops in their farm system, and the 17-year-old Mauricio is simply the next in line after a very solid year split between the Gulf Coast League and the Appalachian League. He has elite defensive skills and great bat-to-ball skills that should allow his speed to play as he grows into his raw above-average power.

92. Isan Diaz, IF, Miami Marlins

A gifted hitter, Diaz has taken some time to find his defensive home, and it seemed that the shifting in defensive location and organization (he’s on his third already) took a toll on his development, but he continues to display power and speed along with patience at the plate. One big note out of Puerto Rico winter ball that he really saw the ball well and worked with a few coaches in his native land that allowed him to drastically cut back on strikeouts over the 31-game winter league.

91. Anderson Espinoza, RHP, San Diego Padres

A legit top-25 talent when he’s healthy, the Padres have been very cautious with their prized right-hander. Espinoza has the raw tools to be an ace, though many have worried about his size (barely 6′, very lean) being an issue, but recent video of Espinoza in workouts shows he’s added strength to his frame and could be answering some of those questions already. He will return in 2019, likely easing innings onto his arm this season, with 2020 when the team will cut him loose.

90. Bubba Thompson, OF, Texas Rangers

A fitting representation of the high-level athleticism that the Rangers draft, Thompson has shown both power and speed in his full-season debut in 2018, but he also struggled with taking a walk consistently as well. In the trio of talented center fielders in the Rangers system, Thompson may have the highest ceiling, but he also may have the lowest floor.

89. Justus Sheffield, LHP, Seattle Mariners

Sheffield is one of those guys who benefitted greatly from the exposure of the New York Yankees logo on his cap. While he has an excellent two-pitch mix, he’s never really shown more than that mix, and with durability issues around his size, he may be a guy that is best suited for the bullpen long-term.

88. Will Smith, C, Los Angeles Dodgers

Fitting in the mold of Dodgers catching prospects that are able to play multiple positions, Smith had an incredible June and July that put him on the national prospect map for anyone who didn’t know about him before, as he clubbed 15 home runs in those two months, earning himself a promotion to AAA. Now on the doorstep of the big leagues, Smith has the ability to handle second base and third base as well, though he could end up a trade chip this offseason due to the Dodgers’ depth at the catcher position.

87. Brandon Lowe, 2B/OF, Tampa Bay Rays

With a system glut of second basemen, Lowe moved around a bit in 2018, and it was for very good reason, as the 2015 3rd round pick had really grown into his power as a pro, smacking 22 home runs in the minors with a .297 batting average before hitting 6 home runs with the Rays in the majors. He’s likely to have to compete for a job in Tampa this spring, but his bat could get him back up in a hurry if he opens in AAA.

86. Adrian Morejon, LHP, San Diego Padres

Morejon has been handled gently by the Padres, but when he’s on the mound, the results have been incredible. At 19 in the Cal League, Morejon struck out 70 in just 62 2/3 innings. His triceps injury is a bit troubling, and some believe it could lead to a bullpen role in the long run, but he’s young enough that he will get a chance to continue developing as a starter, and his stuff is incredibly impressive in that role.

85. Luiz Gohara, LHP, Atlanta Braves

If anyone deserves a mulligan on the 2018 season, it’s Gohara. Considered among the top 25-50 prospects in all of baseball entering the season, Gohara endured the tragic loss of his father in December 2017 then had his mother go through heart issues resulting in surgery in June. To say his mind was not on the game would be an understatement. As the season closed, the big lefty’s power fastball and power slider were as impressive as ever, and he could take a big step forward in 2019.

84. Luis Garcia, SS, Philadelphia Phillies

The less heralded of the NL East teen infielders of the same name, the Phillies version has incredible raw talent and completely dominated the Gulf Coast League at 17 this year, hitting .369/.433/.488. He has work to do on calming down his defense as he can rush himself at times and his judgement on the basepaths could use some work, but other than that, growing into his body and his raw above-average power is about all he DIDN’T do in 2018. It will be fun to see what he can do for an encore.

83. Luis Patino, RHP, San Diego Padres

The 18-year-old Colombian got his first taste of full-season ball, and it was really no challenge at all for him, as he posted a 2.16 ERA over 83 1/3 innings with 98 strikeouts in the Midwest League. Patino’s raw stuff is incredibly impressive, and he doesn’t do anything on the mound that would seem to need correcting, leading one to think he could move quickly, though he’s in a system with a pretty packed group ahead of him, so he may have to bide his time!

82. Julio Pablo Martinez, OF, Texas Rangers

While Taveras may have the highest floor of the Rangers center field trio and Thompson may have the highest ceiling, Martinez, also known by some in the “prospect community” as JPM, potentially has the best combination of both. His biggest drawback is his diminutive size, as his listed 5’9″ may be generous, but he generates excellent power from that position, and he showed against top competition in the Arizona Fall League that he could hold his own with the bat, as he hit .327/.397/.519.

81. Trevor Larnach, OF, Minnesota Twins

While some were enthralled by storylines of their ace pitcher this past spring, Larnach went out and simply crushed baseballs for Oregon State en route to a College World Series championship. The Twins were overjoyed to get the lefty swinger at 20th overall, and he could quickly find his way up their system with a balanced swing that generates impact power to all fields. It would not surprise at all to see him finish the year in the upper minors.

80. Luis Garcia, SS, Washington Nationals

The “other” Luis Garcia on this list, the one that perhaps is more well-known, originally was born in New York City, but was signed out of the Dominican Republic. After dominating the Gulf Coast League in 2017, Garcia opened the year in low-A Hagerstown, moving up to high-A Potomac by the end of the year and still hitting well all season as an 18-year-old in his full-season debut. Garcia has the arm to handle third and the hands to handle second, but may not quite have the range for short, so he will likely be ironing out his future defensive home, though it is telling that he played only shortstop once he got to Potomac.

79. Jazz Chisholm, SS, Arizona Diamondbacks

One of the leaders of the current wave of Bahamian signees, Chisholm was a guy that caught my eye with his 2016 performance in advanced rookie ball as a raw athlete with incredible tools. He’s still polishing those tools, but the play in 2018 was incredible to watch as Chisholm hit 25 home runs and stole 17 bases between low-A and high-A. He still needs to polish his plate discipline and his work in the field, but the potential here is impressive.

78. Monte Harrison, OF, Miami Marlins

Before the Arizona Fall League, Harrison was likely headed for a ranking in the 100-150 range, and as he missed each of the “big 3” lists (Baseball America, MLB Pipeline, Baseball Prospectus), it would seem that they likely made the same decision and held it. However, the change in swing and approach at the plate that Harrison made between the end of the 2018 campaign and the Arizona Fall League was striking, allowing him to keep his strikeouts under control, hit for an excellent average, and even draw walks. He hit for power out of the swing in game, but never got it out of the park, so it didn’t show up in the stat line, but his 5-tool talent could definitely be on display in AAA for the Marlins system this year if the plate changes stick!

77. Ryan Mountcastle, 3B, Baltimore Orioles

Whenever I watch Ryan Mountcastle play, I’m left wanting more. It’s hard to explain, but there seems to be more to his bat, more to his ability that he’s just not tapping into, especially at the plate, and perhaps that’s why I’m stubborn about keeping him in the top 100 in spit of a ho-hum season at AA. There were things to appreciate, for sure, as he did hit .297 and pounded the gaps for a .464 slugging, but watching him swing just feels like he should be getting more out of his bat.

76. Justin Dunn, RHP, Seattle Mariners

When Mets fans read this list and note that they could have been in the range of the Padres, Braves, and Rays in terms of total prospects on the list, they’re going to weep, especially if their big trade that sent away Dunn to Seattle doesn’t bear fruit! Dunn really took that step forward in 2018 between high-A and AA, and his strikeout rate was dominant, with 156 strikeouts over 135 1/3 combined innings. He could factor into Seattle’s rotation by season’s end.

75. Garrett Hampson, IF, Colorado Rockies

While he may be the lesser prospect, it would not surprise at all if Garrett Hampson wins the second base battle over fellow prospect Brendan Rodgers. Hampson is really nothing flashy in any part of his game, simply making consistent contact that shows average to above-average power and plus speed and the ability to use both well. Defensively, he’s got excellent hands and rarely makes mistakes once the ball is in hand.

74. MJ Melendez, C, Kansas City Royals

While there are catchers ranked ahead of him on this list, the potential to be the top catcher in the game is only there for one guy, in my opinion, and that’s Melendez. While other may make it to that distinction by default, Melendez has the raw defensive and offensive ability to take hold of that title in spite of who else is the competition. He has plenty of polish on both sides to achieve, but there was plenty to like in his 19-homer season at age 19 in his full-season debut.

73. Bryse Wilson, RHP, Atlanta Braves

In 2017, the Braves saw Ronald Acuna, Jr. shoot through the minor leagues to be the top prospect in all of baseball. Wilson simply shot through the minors and all the way to the majors on the same path to became finally recognized in a system full of elite arms. Many still see the bullpen as a future destination for Wilson, but his development on the mound as a starter has been a revelation for the Braves, and at just 21, he’ll get time to work in the rotation before being “forced” into the bullpen.

72. Nick Madrigal, IF, Chicago White Sox

If this list was done on pure floor, Madrigal might be a top 10 guy. He may not ever put up an elite offensive season, and while his defense is excellent, it’s more about not making any mistakes than it is making flashy plays. That said, he should jump through the minors and give the White Sox a tough decision at second base by 2020.

71. Dustin May, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers

When the Dodgers refuse to include an arm in a trade, it’s usually a good idea to keep a close eye on that arm. May is that guy right now. After a solid 2017 that got him on the map, May came out and was even better in 2018 at age 20, getting up to AA and showing great stuff the whole way. He’s not going to be rushed by the Dodgers, but he has shown excellent stuff and performance both so far, and that’s something to definitely watch.

70. Nolan Gorman, 3B, St. Louis Cardinals

A number of teams loved Gorman’s power bat coming out of high school in the 2018 draft, but they were worried he may have to shift positions. Regardless of position, if he’s hitting the way he did in his pro debut, he’ll have a spot as he hit 17 home runs between advanced rookie ball and low-A in just 63 combined games coming straight out of high school.

69. Mark Vientos, 3B, New York Mets

A personal favorite since his draft season, Vientos has taken to the hot corner well, flashing a big arm at the position, though he sometimes does try to do too much and makes errors on balls that most guys wouldn’t get to at the position. His bat has also been impressive, as he’s controlled the strike zone and shown excellent power. He will spend 2019 at full-season ball at just 19.

68. Jesus Sanchez, OF, Tampa Bay Rays

I have always been a big Sanchez fan, but I’ll probably be one of the lower guys on him this year simply because I watched too much of his struggles in AA once he was promoted. With a prototype right field profile, he’s still definitely a high-level prospect, but the walks need to come at some point for Sanchez in his profile.

67. Drew Waters, OF, Atlanta Braves

Considered the top prep talent in Georgia in 2017, that usually will lock in a first-round selection, but Waters fell to the Braves in the second round, and they have been happy to have him. Some questions on his plate coverage and instincts in the outfield still remain, but putting up 57 extra base hits and stealing 23 bases at 19 covers up a lot of ills.

66. Yusniel Diaz, OF, Baltimore Orioles

The prize of the Orioles return for Manny Machado, Diaz is a guy who does everything well but nothing elite, though defense could be considered in that elite category. Diaz could give some run for a big league job this spring, but most likely he’ll open in AAA with a chance to find himself in Baltimore in September and taking over in right field in 2020.

65. Griffin Canning, RHP, Los Angeles Angels

Worries on his workload at UCLA led a lot of teams to shy away from Canning, who fell to the Angels in the 2nd round of the 2017 draft. Those teams are kicking themselves now, as Canning showed he was more than able to handle workload in 2018, making 25 starts across three levels, finishing in AAA, punching out 125 over 113 1/3 innings. He could compete for an Angels rotation spot this spring, but most likely he’ll get time back at AAA and be one of the first guys up.

64. Brady Singer, RHP, Kansas City Royals

One of the feel-good stories of the holiday season was Singer paying off his parents’ debt with his bonus after being a first-round pick. Singer’s stock fell to the Royals for really no reason as he was seen as a candidate for #1 overall entering the college season and had a very good year. His fastball/slider combination is incredibly impressive and he should open with one of the Royals full-season teams in 2019.

63. Victor Victor Mesa, OF, Miami Marlins

Mesa was signed by the Marlins in what has seemed a big PR win for the organization among a winter of more bad PR. While he has varying reports on his ability to access his power, he has present speed and defense that should allow him to work at a full-season level immediately, and if the bat is as advertised, he could move quickly through the minors.

62. Gavin Lux, SS, Los Angeles Dodgers

Lux was taken by the Dodgers in the first round in 2016 and seen as a reach, but he’s shown ever since that he was one of the more astute selections of that year’s draft. Spending time in high-A and AA at 20, Lux hit .324/.399/.514 with 27 doubles, 8 triples, 15 home runs, and 13 steals, all while playing quality shortstop and even showing that if he has to be moved off shortstop, he will be elite at third base.

61. Luis Robert, OF, Chicago White Sox

Robert had an incredible enigma of a season. He only played in 50 games on the year due to a myriad of injuries, and when he was on the field, he wasn’t quite the guy advertised, hitting .269/.333/.350. Then he went to the Arizona Fall League, and after initially struggling, he finished the league on fire to finish .324/.367/.432 with 2 home runs (he had none in the regular season). The raw talent is certainly here, but getting to it on the field hasn’t shown to be consistent yet.

60. DL Hall, LHP, Baltimore Orioles

When most see a pitcher selected by the Orioles, they have a well-worn reaction to send “thoughts and prayers” to the young man. The Orioles farm system has made significant strides in pitching development in the last two seasons, and the performance of Hall in 2018 could be one of the better indications of that. He was a fastball/curve guy in high school who struggled to locate either, and now he has flashed in other pitches and significantly improved his control, leading to a 2.10 ERA in low-A for the teenager in 2018.

59. Nolan Jones, 3B, Cleveland Indians

A big guy when he was drafted as a shortstop out of the Pennsylvania prep ranks, many assumed Jones would move to third, but his bumps in the transition in 2017 led to some questions about his potential. He ironed out those worries in 2018 and began focusing on crushing baseballs, pounding out 19 home runs on the season across both A-ball levels while sporting a .405 on-base as well.

58. Josh James, RHP, Houston Astros

Originally a 34th round pick, James has simply pitched so well since coming into the Astros system that he’s forced his way up the ladder, and he did just that in 2018 all the way to the big leagues, even making the Astros playoff roster. With a need at the big league level, he should get a chance at a rotation spot, and while his stuff is still inconsistent in quality, he generates plenty of swing and miss and could have a very good rookie season.

57. Sean Murphy, C, Oakland Athletics

Part of a deep, talented college catching class in the 2016 draft, Murphy went to the A’s in the 3rd round, and thus far, he’s potentially the best of the bunch. He worked all the way to AAA in 2018 showing excellent gap power and bat control while also showing off impressive defense. Whether he will get a shot at the big league job in spring training is to be seen, but he should get some big league time in 2019 for sure.

56. Francisco Mejia, C, San Diego Padres

The primary return when the Padres sent away two relievers last summer, Mejia has had a storied prospect history, and not all of that story is positive. His defense behind the plate is still in question after years of working on it, and the Padres seem committed to having him continue with the tools of ignorance, in spite of already having one of the best defensive catchers in the game in Austin Hedges coming off a breakout offensive year.

55. Nate Pearson, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays

The radar guns in the Arizona Fall League really said all that needed to be said. When a guy can legitimately get to numbers like 103+, that’s a special arm. Pearson missed most of last season with multiple injuries, but his raw stuff is absolutely impressive when he can locate it. The Jays likely won’t push him to open the year, but if he shows he’s making strides, especially in location, he could jump up quick.

54. Austin Riley, 3B, Atlanta Braves

Riley’s a guy that could rank 30 spots higher and not get a lot of argument. He has worked very hard to make himself a passable defender at third base, and there’s absolutely legit power in the swing. The strikeouts are still a worry after seeing a spike again in AAA, but with the Braves giving Riley time in the outfield this spring, they’re obviously looking to find a way to get his bat to the majors in 2019.

53. A.J. Puk, LHP, Oakland Athletics

Puk lost his 2018 to Tommy John surgery, and there’s always been something about his delivery that worried me for future performance as is, but there’s no denying that he has some of the most wicked stuff from the left side in the game when he’s healthy. It will be interesting to see how he returns.

52. Chris Paddack, RHP, San Diego Padres

The incredible control Paddack displayed in 2018 could end up putting him in the major leagues to open 2019, and that’d be fitting, though his true ceiling may be a bit overstated by some who’ve thrown around frontline projections on him. If he can maintain health, the control and changeup should lead to a very good mid-rotation starter for a long time that likely has some years where he pitches above that level.

51. Kyle Wright, RHP, Atlanta Braves

Having Wright fall into their laps in the 2017 draft completely threw off the Braves’ intended strategy for the day, as he was expected to go well before their pick, but they’ve been happy to have him. Wright made it to the majors in his first full season, and while he may project more as a very good #2 than an elite frontline starter, he has the chance to be that sort of guy quickly for a team, whether it’s the Braves or if he’s used as a trade chip.

50. Isaac Paredes, IF, Detroit Tigers

The Tigers may have gotten a gem with this guy from the Cubs. He showed very well up to AA at just 19, hitting .278/.359/.456 combined between high-A and AA. Likely playing in the upper minors in 2019, it will be intriguing to see where in the infield the Tigers continue to develop Paredes. There’s a lot of Robinson Cano in Paredes, and he could be pounding the walls of Detroit with doubles sooner rather than later if the Tigers can settle on his defensive position.

49. Michael Kopech, RHP, Chicago White Sox

Kopech was in the midst of a solid start to his big league career before his arm popped and he had Tommy John. He’s at this point in part due to the surgery, but also what I saw in AAA. Kopech rode an impressive wave of starts in late July/early August to the majors, but just at the beginning of July, he was all over the place with his control, walking 31 in 31 innings in a 7 start stretch that began June 2nd and went through July 5th. While his velocity will generate strikeouts, the streakiness of his control is something that still screams bullpen to me.

48. Hunter Greene, RHP, Cincinnati Reds

Anyone watching the Futures Game during All-Star break saw the elite velocity that Greene can flash. However, they also saw that just because a pitch is 102 doesn’t mean a big league capable player won’t take it out of the ballpark if there’s nothing else to prepare for. Greene sat out much of the second half, resting a weary elbow that many thought would lead to Tommy John. He’s reportedly healthy for the start of 2019, but that elbow health will be something to watch.

47. William Contreras, C, Atlanta Braves

While I’ve had some prospects that I’ve gotten in good for over the years, Contreras is one I was on early as a DSL player and that has simply re-affirmed my beliefs at every step, now showing himself among the top catching prospects in the game. He has an air of maturity for guy in his first full season, and his average fly ball distance last season was one of the deepest in the minors, ahead of some of the more noted power hitters prospect fans dote over. He’ll likely open in high-A or AA, but don’t be surprised if he works his way into a taste of the big leagues in 2019.

46. Jonathan India, 3B, Cincinnati Reds

The Reds have reportedly been very hesitant to include India in a deal for J.T. Realmuto, in spite of their depth at the position, and it makes perfect sense. India is a guy who could play all around the infield defensively, and his bat has taken steps forward each year since leaving high school.

45. Triston McKenzie, RHP, Cleveland Indians

McKenzie’s rail-thin frame still scares me, but he continues to produce, this past season at AA at age 20, where he posted a 2.68 ERA and struck out 87 over 90 2/3 innings. He needs to show he can handle a full season of wear, but if he can hold up, the stuff is good enough to work in a big league rotation.

44. Yusei Kikuchi, LHP, Seattle Mariners

I’m sure there will be those out there lamenting that a professional Japanese player is being rated as a prospect, but until he’s met his rookie requirements, he’s still considered a prospect, so here we are. Kikuchi has a high floor as a guy who should work as a #4 for sure, and he could potentially offer you a #2 ceiling, though being in his late-20s already does take some of the benefits of that away, but the Mariners will definitely be happy with him.

43. Danny Jansen, C, Toronto Blue Jays

Jansen’s performance in 2017 opened eyes and he was able to repeat it in 2018 at AAA, leading to a major league debut where he made such an impression that the Blue Jays traded away their expensive veteran to clear the path for Jansen to be the everyday starter in 2019. He won’t likely hit 30 home runs, but good doubles and 15-20 home runs with .270ish batting average could be his potential, and that’s not something you get much in the big leagues right now from a backstop.

42. Brendan McKay, LHP/1B, Tampa Bay Rays

While many were impressed with McKay’s work two-ways in 2018, I was not one of them. McKay as a first baseman is not on this list at all. It’s as a lefty pitcher that he has shown impressive ability to sequence and manipulate the ball to generate weak contact thus far. I would love to see him move full-time to the mound, but most likely he’ll continue his work going both ways as long as the Rays allow it.

41. Dylan Cease, RHP, Chicago White Sox

I’m probably the high guy on Cease, but a lot of that has to do with seeing the progress in repeating his delivery and hitting all of his load points in the delivery consistently. It may not be textbook, but he does repeat it and it’s shown in his ability to lower his walk rate and begin to dominate hitters in the upper minors. He could end up in the majors by the end of 2019.

40. Hans Crouse, RHP, Texas Rangers

One of the most impressive performers on the summer showcase circuit in 2016, but his funky delivery concerned multiple teams, causing him to fall to the 2nd round, where the Rangers were glad to grab him. He’s already shown to be a horse on the mound, able to handl plenty of work, and his raw stuff is unbelievable to watch. He got 5 starts at low-A in 2018, and he’ll likely start there in 2019, but it wouldn’t surprise at all if he flew up the Rangers system in a hurry.

39. Peter Alonso, 1B, New York Mets

While his glove won’t ever make Mets fans recall John Olerud, Alonso has put together a power profile that’s difficult to match in all of the minor leagues, crushing 31 doubles and 36 home runs in 2018 in AA and AAA. He then followed that with 7 doubles and 6 home runs in 27 games in the Arizona Fall League. He will give the Mets plenty of reason to keep him at first base to open 2019.

38. Tyler O’Neill, OF, St. Louis Cardinals

Likely his last year on top prospect lists, O’Neill will take over as a starting outfielder or at least get enough time in St. Louis in 2019 that he won’t be eligible for this list next year, and his raw power is incredibly impressive, as seen by his 25 home runs in 64 games in AAA. He hit 9 home runs in 142 plate appearances in the big leagues, and he could be a big source of power for the Cardinals.

37. Casey Mize, RHP, Detroit Tigers

After an incredible season with Auburn, Mize was the top overall selection by the Tigers in the 2018 draft. He has an impressive collection of pitches, and he could profile as a frontline guy, but he works in this spot simply because his floor is very, very high as a guy that should serve as a #2/#3 starter and likely in short order.

36. Jarred Kelenic, OF, Seattle Mariners

Kelenic placed above the top pick in his same draft could surprise many, but he was a guy that many considered one of the elite prep bats and a legit consideration for the top overall pick. Kelenic then went out and performed tremendously well, putting up 22 extra base hits and stealing 15 bases over 56 games across two rookie levels. He certainly could take a jump akin to Jo Adell did in 2018 this coming season.

35. Carter Kieboom, SS, Washington Nationals

At just 20, Kieboom played across high-A and AA almost even in 2018, hitting .280/.357/.444 with 31 doubles and 16 home runs. He then hit .295/.427/.372 in the Arizona Fall League, getting some time at second base as the Nationals prepare for Kieboom to likely push to the major leagues soon alongside Trea Turner.

34. Ke’Bryan Hayes, 3B, Pittsburgh Pirates

If he were to play all of 2019 at third base for the Pirates, Hayes would be one of the 2-3 best defensive third basemen in the majors right now. When you add in the offensive development seen in 2018, Hayes could be one of the elite players at the hot corner in the league. He may not hit a ton of doubles and not a lot of home runs, but he controls the strike zone and exhibits excellent baserunning as well to add to his profile.

33. Brusdar Graterol, RHP, Minnesota Twins

Just 6’1″ tall, on the mound, Graterol looks like a beast with a well-developed frame that can pump high-velocity fastballs and impressive breaking stuff. There is certainly some reliever risk here, but Graterol’s easy ability to generate velocity has allowed him to pound the zone with quality pitches. Just 20 in 2019, Graterol will spend a lot of his season in the upper minors.

32. Yordan Alvarez, OF/1B, Houston Astros

Injuries shortened his season in 2018, but Alvarez showed his impressive athleticism for a guy who is 6’5″ and well-built. Alvarez still hit 20 home runs and 21 doubles over 88 games in spite of the injuries. He was able to show that he can handle the outfield, and not just pass out there, but actually excel in the outfield. Many have compared the 21-year-old in profile to Mo Vaughn, and while he is more athletic, there’s a lot of truth to that.

31. Touki Toussaint, RHP, Atlanta Braves

After years of struggling to harness his tremendous stuff, Toussaint had a breakthrough in 2018, and he finished the year showing well in the major leagues. Incredibly, he was taught a new changeup in the majors, and many have stated that it could quickly become his best pitch, which is incredible to think that he could have even more upside!

30. Andres Gimenez, SS, New York Mets

While he may have to shift positions as he’s not at the defensive level of Amed Rosario, that does not mean that Gimenez is not a capable shortstop in his own right. He just has moved so quickly that the Mets are now having to make plans for how to fit both in the infield together. The 19-year-old made it up to AA in 2018, and he flashed impressive speed and has raw above-average power. His offensive profile should excite Mets fans as he builds on his big 2018 season.

29. Alex Reyes, RHP, St. Louis Cardinals

After missing all of 2017, Reyes was on his road back to the big leagues in 2018, looking incredible along the way (0 earned runs over 23 innings in the minors with 44 strikeouts) but after his first major league appearance, he ended up down again, and he missed the rest of the season after he tore his lat tendon. The raw stuff is impressive, but continued muscle issues simply underscore just how much force he puts behind every pitch, and whether he will be able to maintain that as a starter is questionable. Of course, there is a path to the bullpen that could be very fruitful for Reyes as well, but that certainly would not have him ranked even at this point.

28. Matt Manning, RHP, Detroit Tigers

While certainly the high man on Manning, the former two-sport high school star showed a lot in 2018 to make me believe that he will be even higher in 2019 when those lists come out. Manning jumped over three levels, all the way to AA in 2018, striking out 154 over 117 2/3 innings. He has easy big velocity, and he’s shown the ability to pound the zone much more.

27. Brent Honeywell, RHP, Tampa Bay Rays

Honeywell was primed to have a big year in 2018 for the Rays before his elbow popped in spring training, requiring Tommy John surgery. He should be starting at the AAA level as he is healthy and could quickly move into the big league rotation.

26. Mitch Keller, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates

Keller has been impressive his entire career in performance. In 2018, many people had mixed opinions on Keller due to his getting hit hard in AAA. He has been struggling with his change, but the fastball and curve have been an impressive pairing. Heavy fastball usage has seemed to be part of being in the Pirates system, but he could benefit from more use of his curve.

25. Alex Verdugo, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers

After the big Dodgers trade with the Reds, one of the responses was that Verdugo would finally get a chance to play in the majors full-time. Verdugo has been at AAA the past two seasons with impressive performance, but there has been no room for him in the major leagues. Defensively, he’s got a double-plus arm and would be an elite right fielder while he can handle center field very well as well.

24. Cristian Pache, OF, Atlanta Braves

While others are good in the outfield, there’s no one better in the minor leagues right now in the outfield than Pache. He also made significant strides in his offensive profile in 2018, working with his training and with coaches to access his natural strength, generating 9 home runs. While Pache is not an elite base stealer, he is an excellent base runner. With work this offseason on his zone recognition reportedly, Pache could take yet another big step this season, and he could push for a starting job by the end of the year.

23. Joey Bart, C, San Francisco Giants

Coming into the 2018 collegiate season, Bart was a mid-first-round guy who was known for very good defense and power in his bat. Then he went berserk with the bat in his draft season, jumping all the way to the second overall pick, and he simply kept hitting once he made his pro debut. He hit 13 home runs over 51 games, with a .294/.364/.588 line.

22. Luis Urias, IF, San Diego Padres

Originally signed as a teen from Mexico, Urias has been hitting ever since he put pen to paper. In 2018, he hit .296/.398/.447 in AAA before coming up for a short stint at the end of the season with the major league club. Urias should end up opening 2019 in San Diego, whether that’s at shortstop or second base. He has an impact bat that could lead to 15 home runs at the big league level but definitely should provide plenty of gap power.

21. Ian Anderson, RHP, Atlanta Braves

After being the #3 overall pick in 2016, Anderson was considered a money-saving pick, but ever since, the Braves have stated that he was the top guy on their board available. Easing innings onto his arm has led to less exposure before 2018, but he put together 119 1/3 innings, striking out 142 with a 2.49 ERA, really showing even better in his starts at AA once he was promoted. Anderson should open at AA this season and could finish the year with some big league time, though there are plenty of arms at the AAA level ahead of him.

20. Keibert Ruiz, C, Los Angeles Dodgers

Ruiz is incredibly athletic and one of the best young catchers that has come through the minor leagues in many years. At just 19, Ruiz handled himself well at AA, hitting 12 home runs and keeping his strikeout rate low. Ruiz is likely going to need one more season of seasoning at least defensively, but his advanced maturity both at the plate and behind the plate should allow him to have success when he does take over in the big leagues in 2020.

19. Sixto Sanchez, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies

Few arms in the minor leagues are as impressive as Sixto’s, but his incredible arm in his smaller frame runs injury risk, which is what plagued his 2018. He made just 8 starts, but he was incredible in those starts, with a 2.51 ERA over 46 2/3 innings with a 11/45 BB/K ratio.

18. Mike Soroka, RHP, Atlanta Braves

You will never record a triple-digit velocity reading from Mike Soroka. However, hitters may prefer facing that big velocity than to face the ability to manipulate pitches that Soroka can do, leaving hitters frequently looking foolish. He did that even in his brief major league time and while he was out due to shoulder soreness, his shoulder has responded well to multiple levels of stress over the offseason, giving good indication that he’s fully healthy, and if he is, he could be an impressive pitcher in 2019 for the Braves.

17. Brendan Rodgers, IF, Colorado Rockies

Rodgers will compete for the big league job at second base this spring, but he very well may end up starting 2019 in AAA behind Garrett Hampson. He struggled in 19 games at the AAA level, posting just a .554 OPS and a 1/16 BB/K ratio. Rodgers typically has struggled his first exposure at a level before then doing very well once he returns. That would put him on track for a big league call at some point in 2019 and a potential job in 2020.

16. Taylor Trammell, OF, Cincinnati Reds

There are few more exciting players to watch in the game than Taylor Trammell once he gets a ball into the gap, whether he’s chasing it down in the outfield or rounding the bases. Trammell’s probably best fit at left field due to better jumps off the bat in left field, but he does have the raw speed to handle center if needed. Trammell has impressive power and speed combination that should play at the top of a lineup, likely working his way up to the upper minors in 2019.

15. MacKenzie Gore, LHP, San Diego Padres

The 3rd overall selection in the 2017 draft, Gore has an impressive leg kick, but it’s what happens when that leg comes down that sets him apart. Yes, he had a 4.45 ERA over his 60 2/3 innings, but if you watch the starts, he was much better than those raw numbers, and you can see that just in the BB/K, which was 18/74. Gore’s incredible raw stuff will have the Padres treating him with caution to protect his arm.

14. Bo Bichette, SS, Toronto Blue Jays

With a hitting style that many considered unorthodox, Bichette fell to the second round. He’s done nothing but hit ever since. In 2018, he was in AA, hitting .286/.343/.453 with 43 doubles, 7 triples, 11 home runs, and 32 stolen bases at age 20. Bichette has played at both shortstop and second base defensively, and while he’s not going to ever be an elite shortstop, he could pass at the position. Bichette will likely be in AAA in 2019, working his way to the majors likely late in the season, preparing for a job in 2020.

13. Jesus Luzardo, LHP, Oakland Athletics

The biggest leaper on prospect lists in 2019 has certainly been Jesus Luzardo, who has found his way to the top 15 consensus on prospect lists. He jumped up high-A all the way to AAA, and over 23 starts and 109 1/3 innings, he put together a 2.88 ERA and 129 strikeouts. The lefty will just be 21 in 2019, but he will likely get a shot at the major league rotation in spring training. Luzardo’s raw stuff is as good as any lefty in the game at this point, and he could be fun to watch if he ends up in the minor leagues.

12. Victor Robles, OF, Washington Nationals

Robles has potentially the most talent of anyone on this list, which will make some wonder why he’s at this spot, and that’s purely based on concerns I have with his strike zone judgment, which could certainly work through over time. Robles hasn’t produced the power many feel he should with his raw power, and I believe much of that is due to his aggressive approach at the plate. He could certainly get plenty of power out of his swing by being more selective.

11. Keston Hiura, 2B, Milwaukee Brewers

Anyone watching Hiura in the Arizona Fall League knows that the Brewers are dealing with a future star hitter. Whether Hiura will be able to handle second base has been the question, and he’s shown enough that he may not be a Gold Glove player, but he should be able to handle the position well and his bat will more than make up for that. Whether he’ll open the season in the majors or if he’ll start in AAA and work his way to the majors remains to be seen and likely will depend on spring.

10. Nick Senzel, IF, Cincinnati Reds

Senzel has had major injury issues over the last year. While he was ready and at the AAA level when healthy, Senzel couldn’t stay on the field, playing just 44 games and amassing just 193 plate appearances. He still hit very well and showed his ability to make tremendous contact. Senzel has moved around defensively as the Reds look to find a way to get him on the field at the big league level. He did get plenty of time in the outfield during fall instructs, and some believe he could end up coming out of spring with a starting job in center field.

9. Royce Lewis, SS, Minnesota Twins

Lewis was the top overall selection in the 2017 draft, and in his first full season in 2018, he had an impressive performance, hitting .292/.352/.451 with 14 home runs and 28 steals across both A-ball levels. He did struggle some in Florida State League ball after his promotion, but he showed enough that he’s likely to end up at AA to open 2019. Lewis has shown tremendous ability to play shortstop, and he should stick at the position.

8. Jo Adell, OF, Los Angeles Angels

Adell took a huge leap forward in public eye in 2018, jumping all the way up to AA in his first full season as a 19-year-old. He hit .290/.355/.543 with 32 doubles, 4 triples, 20 home runs, and 15 steals over 440 plate appearances. He’s shown himself to be capable in center field as well. The Angels will likely open Adell in AA in 2019 and his talent may take a year to gather and get his batting eye caught up.

7. Kyle Tucker, OF, Houston Astros

Tucker is knocking on the major league door right now, having produced tremendously well in AAA, with a .332/.400/.590 line along with 24 home runs and 20 steals over 100 games. While the Astros did sign Michael Brantley, he and Josh Riddick are not exactly the bastions of health. Tucker should get a good chance to impact a playoff team in 2019.

6. Wander Franco, SS, Tampa Bay Rays

Perhaps the most impressive performance debut seasons in 2018 was a 17-year-old in the Tampa Bay system, hitting .351/.418/.587 with 10 doubles, 7 triples, 11 home runs, and 4 steals over 61 games. Franco made his share of errors at short (14 in 186 chances), but a lot of that was a teenager rushing things and not taking his time to let the game slow down around him. Franco’s talent is obvious and incredible right now.

5. Alex Kirilloff, OF, Minnesota Twins

Kirilloff may have the prettiest swing in all of minor league baseball right now. He hit .348/.392/.578 with 44 doubles and 20 home runs over 130 games between two A-ball levels, and he has a low strikeout rate as well, able to keep his bat in the zone well to avoid strikeouts. Kirilloff returned from Tommy John surgery well, and he showed a strong arm in right field.

4. Eloy Jimenez, OF, Chicago White Sox

Eloy is a pure hitter. He does not strike out much, which is incredible considering the amount of hard contact he makes. Jimenez has a short, powerful swing that will generate big power numbers over his career while also allowing him to have good batting averages. He is an absolute zero in the field, and he can be a liability on the basepaths, but so was Manny Ramirez, and at his best, you couldn’t find a GM who would not have wanted Manny in his lineup!

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3. Forrest Whitley, RHP, Houston Astros

This is the rare case where a pitcher actually ends up this high on a list for me. Whitley made a genuine mistake in spring of 2018 that cost him the first 50 games of the season. When he returned, he did not get a lot of time with the AA club, but the Astros did send him to the Arizona Fall League. In the AFL, Whitley was absolutely dominant, posting a 2.42 ERA over 26 innings with a 7/36 BB/K ratio. He likely will open the year in AAA, but he could find his way to Houston by the end of the season.

2. Fernando Tatis, Jr., SS, San Diego Padres

Tatis is much closer to Vlad than what many industry experts may suggest. Yes, I still have Vlad #1, but it would not surprise me at all if we look back in 10 years and see that Tatis has produced significantly more WAR, especially when you consider his position. Tatis likely will at least begin his career in the majors at shortstop. Even though he started very slow on the season, he finished with a .286/.355/.507 line along with 16 home runs and 16 stolen bases. He then showed up with big performances in the Dominican Winter League, hitting 3 home runs and stealing 7 bases, with much of his best work coming in the DWL playoffs.

1. Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., 3B, Toronto Blue Jays

Now, we get to the guy who’s the clear #1 in the eyes of many. Vladdy hit all the way up to AAA as a 19-year-old and still didn’t find a challenge, putting up a .381/.437/.636 line over 95 games, blasting 20 home runs. He then went to the Arizona Fall League and hit .351/.409/.442, not hitting any home runs, but still controlling the zone and hitting some of the loudest outs of the AFL. He should be in Toronto to open 2019, but most likely he’ll end up having his season played with in order to gain the Jays years of control. Vladdy will start his big league career at third, but most likely, he’ll end up at first, the outfield, or perhaps just DH, but his bat is this good to rank him #1.

There you have it! Our countdown of 150 MLB top prospects is completed. What do you think? Anyone too high? Too low? Comment below!