August Eleventh, 2023
Curious as to which prospect has risen probably the most on every group’s High 30 because the begin of the season? We organized that for you under, indicating every participant’s rating on the 2023 preseason and midseason lists. As for the most important soar on the High 100, that belongs to Padres catcher Ethan Salas.
AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST
Blue Jays: Alan Roden, OF (NR to 7)
Chosen within the third spherical final yr, Roden was a wait-and-see prospect left on the skin of the preseason High 30 whereas we evaluated how his excessive on-base abilities translated to the professionals. Verdict: fairly comfortably in actual fact. Roden hit .321/.437/.459 with a 32/42 Ok/BB ratio over 69 video games with Excessive-A Vancouver after Blue Jays coaches labored with him on standing extra upright in his stance to present him a greater shot at tapping into some energy. He moved to Double-A New Hampshire final month and continues to stroll greater than he’s struck out, although the pop warrants monitoring.
Orioles: Leandro Arias, SS (28 to 7)
Signed for $600K in the beginning of the 2022 worldwide signing interval, Arias didn’t make many waves throughout his professional debut that summer season within the Dominican Summer time League. The 18-year-old switch-hitter has made a pleasant transition to the US and has greater than held his personal within the Florida Advanced League this yr.
Rays: Dominic Keegan, C (25 to 10)
A bat-first catcher out of Vanderbilt, Keegan continues to hit in all places he’s despatched, together with Single-A and Excessive-A with comparable manufacturing at each ranges in 2023. Whereas he’s confirmed able to hitting for each energy and common within the professionals, the 23-year-old has additionally impressed Tampa Bay officers together with his defensive beneficial properties behind the plate, and his caught-stealing price has really gone up as he’s ascended. There shall be additional exams coming, however the Rays might be able to develop Keegan from a fourth-rounder right into a well-rounded backstop.
Pink Sox: Yoeilin Cespedes, SS (NR to 13)
Cespedes acquired the most important bonus ($1.4 million) in Boston’s 2023 worldwide class as a result of he was thought of one of many extra superior hitters available on the market, and he has lived as much as that status within the Rookie-level Dominican Summer time League. Cespedes is batting .359/.409/.594 with six homers in 41 video games and in addition incomes reward for his baseball IQ and work ethic.
Yankees: Chase Hampton, RHP (26 to 4)
A Texas Tech product, Hampton went from the sixth spherical of the 2022 Draft to the Yankees’ greatest pitching prospect in lower than a yr. His fastball, curveball and slider all play as plus pitches at their greatest, as does a cutter that he has added since turning professional. He has logged a 3.53 ERA, .208 opponent common and 129/33 Ok/BB ratio in 91 2/3 innings between Excessive-A and Double-A.
AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL
Guardians: Welbyn Francisca, SS (NR to fifteen)
Recognized for his hitting prowess, Francisca landed the most important bonus ($1.375 million) in Cleveland’s 2023 worldwide crop when he signed out of the Dominican Republic. He makes exhausting contact from either side of the plate and is batting .336/.431/.531 with three homers and 11 steals in 37 video games within the Dominican Summer time League.
Royals: Chandler Champlain, RHP (26 to 12)
Kansas Metropolis acquired Champlain from the Yankees on the 2022 Commerce Deadline within the Andrew Benintendi commerce, and one yr later, the 24-year-old right-hander has actually hit his stride at Double-A Northwest Arkansas, the place he has a 1.04 ERA and 22 strikeouts in his final 4 begins (26 innings). Champlain works properly with a mid-90s fastball and a pair of spectacular breaking balls in his curveball and slider.
Tigers: Enrique Jimenez, C (NR to 18)
Detroit signed Jimenez for $1.25 million again in January, making the switch-hitting backstop their highest-ranked worldwide addition within the newest signing window. The Venezuela native entered the Tigers system with a robust status as a defensive catcher, however he’s constructed on that with a robust offensive exhibiting within the Dominican Summer time League with a .296/.407/.443 line by way of 37 video games. There’s loads of improvement forward, however for now, Jimenez is trending towards being a multi-tooled catcher and potential starter in Motor Metropolis.
Twins: Cory Lewis, RHP (NR to 13)
The Twins’ ninth-round choose within the 2022 Draft, Lewis wasn’t even on the High 30 in the beginning of the season. However armed with a four-pitch combine that features a legit knuckleball, the 6-foot-5 right-hander has pitched his means from Single-A to Excessive-A and dominated at each ranges, wanting like yet one more late-round faculty arm discover by this group who’ll find yourself making begins within the large leagues.
White Sox: Jacob Burke, OF (NR to 22)
Burke missed the primary six weeks of the season with lower-back points however since has batted .311/.413/.473 with 5 homers and 17 steals in 64 video games at two Class A ranges. An Eleventh-round choose from Miami in 2022, he is an aggressive hitter who offers strong velocity and center-field protection.
AMERICAN LEAGUE WEST
Angels: Jack Kochanowicz, RHP (NR to 10)
He’s been on the record earlier than, as excessive as No. 8 in the beginning of the 2021 season. However he’s had plenty of hassle staying wholesome and had fallen off the record to start out this yr. He’s again in a great spot because of dominating over 5 begins in Excessive-A and incomes his first transfer to Double-A, the place he began out properly earlier than stumbling a bit. However he’s already surpassed his profession excessive in innings pitched for a season and remains to be solely 22 years previous.
Astros: Zach Dezenzo, 3B/2B (NR to five)
Dezenzo tied an Ohio State report with 19 homers in 2022 earlier than the Astros made him a Twelfth-round choose, and he has stood out together with his frequency of exhausting contact and high-end exit velocities since turning professional. He is batting .329/.407/.545 with 10 homers in 66 video games between Excessive-A and Double-A.
A’s: Joey Estes, RHP (24 to fifteen)
He was OK, however not nice, for the A’s in 2022, his first season with the group after coming over within the Matt Olson deal. He’s taken a really good step ahead this yr in his first style of Double-A, incomes a bump as much as Triple-A after posting a 3.28 ERA and .215 BAA in 20 outings with Midland.
Mariners: Alberto Rodriguez, OF (28 to 18)
Rodriguez’s modest rating to start out the 2023 season was largely a results of a fairly pedestrian season with Excessive-A Everett in 2022 and the very fact the Mariners designated him for task to make roster room in January. He cleared waivers and is making a really sturdy case to get added again to the roster by posting a .973 OPS in 72 video games again with Everett that earned him a bump as much as Double-A.
Rangers: Cameron Cauley, SS/2B (NR to 13)
Cauley’s hitting capability and massive swagger in a small body drew comparisons to Dustin Pedroia when he signed for an over-slot $1 million as a third-round choose in 2021. The Texas highschool product has had some swing-and-miss points in professional ball, however he is driving the ball with authority, displaying plus-plus velocity and offering high quality protection at shortstop. He is hitting .250/.328/.427 with 30 extra-base knocks and 29 steals in 82 video games between Single-A and Excessive-A.
NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST
Braves: Luis De Avila, LHP (30 to 14)
It’s been fairly a journey for a man who was launched by the Rockies, signed by the Royals after which taken within the Minor League part of the Rule 5 Draft by the Braves. Given an opportunity to start out in 2022, he’s run with it, main the South Atlantic League in ERA final yr. The transfer as much as Double-A hasn’t slowed him down as his 2.95 ERA was third lowest within the Southern League, and he’s fourth in WHIP and BAA.
Marlins: Dane Myers, OF/3B/1B (NR to 14)
A two-way participant at Rice who initially centered on pitching after the Tigers drafted him within the sixth spherical of the 2017 MLB Draft, Myers turned a full-time hitter following the pandemic and got here to the Marlins by way of the Minor League part of the Rule 5 Draft final December. He has growing energy, plus velocity, arm power and the flexibility to play all three outfield spots and each infield corners. He batted .288/.295/.373 in July with Miami and is hitting .336/.426/.523 with 13 homers and 16 steals in 75 video games between Double-A and Triple-A.
Mets: Christian Scott, RHP (NR to 12)
Scott was restricted to solely 58 2/3 innings at Single-A and Excessive-A for what ought to have been his first full season in 2022. He’s already gotten extra begins in 2023 and has ascended to Double-A with considerably improved management (12 walks in 76 2/3 innings this summer season) whereas exhibiting a mid-90s fastball, promising slider and growing changeup. A former reliever at Florida, the right-hander may need wanted a little bit additional time to develop into beginning, however he’s wanting like a strong Mets choice for the second half of 2024.
Nationals: Daylen Lile, OF (16 to six)
The 2021 second-rounder entered professional ball with a robust status as a hitter, however he underwent Tommy John surgical procedure in March 2022, which means we needed to wait one other yr to see the bat play in professional ball. It’s actually achieved that in 2023. Lile hit .291/.381/.510 with 34 extra-base hits and 21 steals in 66 video games for Single-A Fredericksburg this summer season earlier than getting promoted to Excessive-A Wilmington in mid-July. He lacks the loud instruments of different Nationals outfielder prospects like Dylan Crews, James Wooden and Elijah Inexperienced, but when Lile retains hitting like this, Washington will discover a spot on the grass for him sooner or later.
Phillies: Orion Kerkering, RHP (21 to eight)
Whereas beginning throughout his junior yr at South Florida didn’t work out, it’s clear Kerkering has a future in an enormous league bullpen, and shortly. He may need the very best mixture of pure stuff and strike-throwing within the Phillies’ group and has pitched his technique to Double-A in his first full season, hanging out 12.9 batters per 9 innings whereas strolling simply 1.8. This man goes to pitch in high-leverage conditions within the large leagues.
NATIONAL LEAGUE CENTRAL
Brewers: Yophery Rodriguez, OF (NR to fifteen)
Milwaukee signed Rodriguez — then ranked as MLB Pipeline’s No. 22 worldwide prospect — for $1.5 million out of Venezuela again in January, and he’s been a distinguished DSL performer up to now, hitting .284/.432/.514 with six homers in 43 video games. Much more astounding, he’s walked 39 occasions and struck out solely 28 occasions for a 1.4 BB/Ok ratio that ranks second amongst DSL gamers with at the least 190 plate appearances. Milwaukee is aware of learn how to develop outfielders, and Rodriguez could possibly be its subsequent success story.
Cardinals: Victor Scott II, OF (29 to 4)
We knew the 2022 fifth-rounder was quick coming into professional ball, contemplating his 80-grade velocity, and he’s lived as much as that status with 73 steals in 97 video games at Excessive-A and Double-A. The place Scott has surpassed expectations has been within the field. The 22-year-old has stored the strikeouts in examine and put the ball in play, thus permitting his wheels to rev. With solely 4 homers and 25 whole extra-base hits, there nonetheless isn’t a ton of pop, however Scott is exhibiting that he might hit for a excessive common and be an old-school tablesetter within the Majors.
Cubs: Jefferson Rojas, SS (NR to 11)
The Cubs appreciated Rojas’ hitting capability sufficient to signal him for $1 million out of the Dominican Republic in 2022 and additional confirmed their religion in him by sending him to Single-A as an 18-year-old this season. He is holding his personal by batting .256/.335/.405 with 16 extra-base hits in 45 video games whereas additionally getting the job achieved defensively at shortstop.
Pirates: Jared Triolo, 3B (18 to 11)
It was exhausting to know what to make of Triolo after a yr with not a ton of offensive influence, at age 24, in Double-A in 2022, regardless that he performed excellent protection at third and confirmed he can deal with different positions nearly as properly. Although he began this season late due to hamate surgical procedure, he was hitting higher in Triple-A and has appeared very strong in his time up within the large leagues thus far.
Reds: Lyon Richardson, RHP (30 to fifteen)
Richardson started his profession again in 2018 as a highschool draftee with the Reds and has appeared good when he’s been wholesome. He struggled in 2021 and finally had Tommy John surgical procedure and missed all of 2022. Reviews of him throwing properly at instructs final fall weren’t exaggerated, and he carried that over to a incredible 2023 season that’s included his large league debut.
NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST
D-backs: Kristian Robinson, OF (NR to 12)
As a result of authorized points (which Robinson has stated stemmed from psychological well being issues) and eventual visa issues, Robinson hadn’t performed in a Minor League recreation since 2019 earlier than he made his season debut with Single-A Visalia on Could 30. The previous High 100 prospect nonetheless has a very good power-speed combo however is exhibiting some rust with decently excessive Ok charges. He’s nonetheless solely 22 and could possibly be at the least a beginning Main League outfielder if the whole lot continues to click on with taking part in time.
Dodgers: Payton Martin, RHP (NR to 12)
Extra of a shortstop than a pitcher as a North Carolina excessive schooler, Martin nonetheless confirmed sufficient on the mound for the Dodgers to draft him within the seventeenth spherical in 2022. He has been a revelation, working with a mid-90s fastball and mid-80s slider in his first full professional season. They’ve translated right into a 2.04 ERA, .213 opponent common and 48/15 Ok/BB ratio in 39 2/3 Single-A innings.
Giants: Wade Meckler, OF (NR to 11)
Meckler hit .367 in his professional debut final summer season and has posted a .370/.455/.500 line this yr, rating second within the Minors in batting and on-base share whereas rising from Excessive-A to Triple-A. A 2022 eighth-round pick of Oregon State, he is a contact-over-power man with plus velocity and succesful protection in any respect three outfield spots.
Padres: Brandon Valenzuela, C (NR to 9)
San Diego officers have been happy with how Valenzuela added power forward of his age-22 season, and that proved true together with his improved influence at Excessive-A Fort Wayne, the place he hit .279/.372/.456 with 4 homers in 39 video games earlier than transferring as much as Double-A for the primary time in late June. Whereas he’s been challenged offensively with San Antonio, Valenzuela has a decently excessive ground as a gifted defender behind the plate, and the early enhancements present hope that he can hit at the least sufficient to be a Main League backstop.
Rockies: Dyan Jorge, SS (20 to 7)
The Rockies have been assured that Jorge’s worldwide competitors expertise would assist him transition to professional ball and up to now, they’ve been proper. After hitting .320/.402/.451 within the DSL after signing in 2022, he’s hit his means from the Arizona Advanced League to full-season ball and has a mixed .315/.394/.472 line over his first 45 mixed video games.
