9. Kyle Lewis
Minors (AA): 517 plate appearances, .263/.342/.398, 25 doubles, 11 homers, 56 walks, 152 strikeouts
Majors: 75 plate appearances, .268/.293/.592, five doubles, six homers, three walks, 29 strikeouts
Injuries kept the Seattle Mariners from knowing what they had in Kyle Lewis until this past year. Finally healthy, he showed why he was considered such a highly regarded prospect.
Selected with the 11th overall pick in the 2016 MLB Draft, Lewis seemed to deal with injury almost constantly. He appeared in just 30 games that year before suffering a torn ACL, and was held to just 49 games in 2017 due to setbacks and complications. Finally, in 2019, he was able to play a full season, reaching the majors and giving the Mariners a glimpse of the future.
While his speed just has not returned following that injury, Lewis still has the tools that once made him a consensus top 100 prospect. He has a solid approach at the plate, showing an ability to hit with power to all fields. Lewis has a strong arm that would fit well in right, and despite having lost some speed, still has excellent range for the position.
There are obvious concerns. Lewis has been fully healthy for just one season thus far as a professional. He still shows trepidation when it comes to making a sudden move, either on the basepaths or in the outfield. And there is some swing and miss to his game, despite his solid approach.
Yet, the power is there, and Kyle Lewis, if he learns to trust his knee, could once again be a five tool player for the Seattle Mariners.