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.