Eastern League 2019 Preview

It’s let down season in the Eastern League as the ghost of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. still casts a mighty shadow. While there’s no top 10 prospects in the season’s player pool there is a fair amount of depth. Particularly at the shortstop position, where Andres Gimenez, Luis Garcia, Isaac Paredes and Kevin Smith, all man the pivot. The year’s early season assignments feature an upgraded crop of arms with a pair of top 100 arms in Adonis Medina and Matt Manning, as well as notable flamethrowers like Darwinzon Hernandez, Melvin Adon, and Albert Abreu.

While the player pool lacks a Guerrero or a Bichette, on the whole the talent of the league is a lot deeper with almost every team in the circuit featuring an interesting hitter and starter, outside maybe Richmond. From the early assignments, the most talent laden squads look to be Harrisburg, Bowie, Erie, and Reading. With prospect strong organizations like Toronto, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Washington a consistent flow of talent should continue to cycle throughout the season.

Top 100 Prospects:

#24 - Andres Gimenez, SS NYM - Binghamton Rumble Ponies

#46 - Yusniel Diaz, OF BAL - Bowie Baysox

#48 - Luis Garcia, SS WAS - Harrisburg Senators

#59 - Matt Manning, RHP DET - Erie SeaWolves

#69 - Adonis Medina, RHP PHI - Reading Fightin Phils

#86 - Isaac Paredes, SS DET - Erie SeaWolves

#94 - Ryan McKenna, OF BAL - Bowie BaySox

#100 - Tyler Nevin, 1B/3B COL - Hartford Yard Goats

All-Prospect Team Pre-Season:

C - Jake Rogers, (Erie)

1B - Tyler Nevin, (Hartford)

2B - Isaac Paredes (Erie)

3B - Bobby Dalbec, (Portland)

SS - Andres Gimenez (Binghamton)

OF - Ryan McKenna (Bowie)

OF - Adam Haseley (Reading)

OF - Yusniel Diaz (Bowie)

UTIL - Luis Garcia (Harrisburg)

P - Darwinzon Hernandez (Portland)

P - Adonis Medina (Reading)

P - Matt Manning (Erie)

Honorable Mention: Kevin Smith (New Hampshire), Melvin Adon (Richmond), Mickey Moniak (Reading)

Team By Team STORY LINES

Akron Rubberducks Off The Radar Core

A trio of talented but somewhat unheralded players lead the way for the RubberDucks this year as outfielders Daniel Johnson and Connor Marabell fresh off the 2018 Arizona Fall League look to push for consideration in Cleveland by the end of the season. Johnson was acquired over the winter for catcher Yan Gomes, and brings a toolsy skill-set. One of the better outfielder defenders in the league, Johnson’s combination of power and speed make him a player to watch if he can improve his hit tool enough to hit with consistency and channel his raw power. Marabell showed some hitting acumen in the AFL and is coming off a 2018 in which he slashed .275/.315/.448 with 31 doubles, 13 homers, and 5 steals. Likely a fourth outfield, bat-from-the-bench type, but he’s one of the more underrated hitters on the circuit. The bats aren’t the only players of interest on Akron, giant lefty Sam Hentges has all the makings of a potential 2019 breakout. The 6’6” lefty pairs a three-pitch mix with a bulldog’s mound presence making him one of the more fearsome match-ups for Eastern League hitters this year. With Cleveland’s development record the past decade, it’s hard not to be enthusiastic about any Indians pitching prospect.

Cleveland Indians Top 30 Prospects

The Altoona Curve Infield Stars Shine Again

The Altoona Curve will be one of the tougher takes in the Eastern League. The pitching might be tough to watch, and outside of 2018 Bradenton standout Jared Oliva there’s not much in the way of offense. They will feature defensive wizard Stephen Alemais, repeating the level he did show a little spark with the bat last season. This is just a matter of the Indianapolis infield already being very stacked.

Pittsburgh Pirates Top 30 Prospects

Gimenez And Toffey Lead Rumble Ponies

One of the best early season takes in 2018 with Peter Alonso, Jeff McNeil, and Justin Dunn all seeing time in Broome County. This season the Rumble Ponies return 2018 breakout Andres Gimenez and Will Toffey, making up one of the more exciting left sides of the infield in all of Double-A. Gimenez ranked 24th on our top 100 list this off-season, and increased power production might see the shortstop vault into the top 10 by end of season. Toffey is far less heralded but his pedigree isn’t nil. Former Vanderbilt standout with an elite plate approach, Toffey began hitting the ball in the air more in 2018, and the trend continued following the trade deadline deal that brought the New England native to the Mets organization. If Toffey is able to take another step forward with over-the-fence power we might be looking at a 2019 breakout bat. Outside of the pair of infielders, there’s not a ton to be excited about in Binghamton at the moment.

New York Mets Top 30 Prospects

Outfield And Pitching Highlights For Bowie

With Top 100 prospects Yusniel Diaz and Ryan McKenna manning the outfield grass for the Baysox, the future core of the Baltimore Orioles might be on full display early in the 2019 campaign. Two of the better all around offensive players in the Baltimore system look to push for 2020 full time jobs with the big league club. Over the last year the Orioles organizational pitching depth has taken a major step forward, and the Bowie rotation is a reflection of that evolution. Led by 2018 standout Zac Lowther, the Baysox pitching features Zach Pop, Hunter Harvey, Dillon Tate, and Bruce Zimmerman. While none of the arms are elite, they all offer some upside and potential in the long term. Should be interesting to see how Zac Lowther handles the upper minors after dominating A ball.

Baltimore Orioles Top 30 Prospects

Matt Manning Heads The Erie SeaWolves Rotation

The SeaWolves have seen their far share of talented arms in recent years, but the best is yet to come as 2016 first rounder Matt Manning breaks camp with Erie. The tall right-hander impressed with Lakeland of the Florida State last year and many view him as candidate to be the best pitching prospect in the minors by the end of the season. The rest of the staff features 2017 first rounder and former Florida ace Alex Faedo, flamethrower Anthony Castro, and Faedo’s former Florida teammate Logan Shore. The lineup returns smooth swinging Isaac Paredes, and arguably the top defensive catcher in the minors in Jake Rogers. Outside of that duo, much of the lineup consists of system depth types, with Sergio Alcantara possibly being the exception. With Casey Mize, Tarik Skubal, and Kody Clemens in Lakeland, the SeaWolves should remain relevant throughout the season, and could feature Mize, Faedo, and Manning all in the rotation at one point.

Detroit Tigers Top 30 Prospects

Harrisburg Senators Led By Teenage Phenom Luis Garcia

When new broke on Tuesday afternoon that Luis Garcia would indeed break camp with the Double-A squad, I immediately inserted all Harrisburg games in Hartford, New Hampshire, and Portland into my iCal. I then immediately thought where does Carter Kieboom play? Ahhh there in lies the rub, Kieboom was actually assigned to Triple-A Fresno, contrary to earlier reports. So while Harrisburg fans were robbed of a middle infield tandem for the ages, they will get to see one of the top teenage talents for a good chunk, if not all of 2019. Outside of Garcia, the Senators’ pitching staff should generate the most interest with a trio of notable starters in Wil Crowe, Ben Braymer, and Sterling Sharp, as well as a pen standouts James Bourque and Jacob Condra-Bogan in the mix.

Washington Nationals Top 30 Prospects

Colton Welker And Tyler Nevin To Spearhead The Yard Goats Lineup

After breaking camp with both Brendan Rodgers and Garrett Hampson in 2018, the Yard Goats return with another exciting duo in Colton Welker and Tyler Nevin. Hartford is always a good test for Rockies positional prospects, as it’s the only ballpark in the system that isn’t aggressively hitter friendly. Both Nevin and Welker benefited from the friendly confines of Lancaster’s Hanger last season it should be fun to watch them adjust early to the cold weathered April’s of the Eastern League. The outfield boasts a trio of players in Vince Fernandez, Manuel Melendez, and Willie Abreu that have experienced success over the last few seasons to varying degrees. Scanning the Yard Goats’ pitching roster, the two names I’m most excited to catch are from the relief ranks. Typically that’s an indictment on a staff, but the two relievers happen to be Reid Humphreys, one of my favorite relief prospects in baseball, and former Vanderbilt closer Ben Bowden. Rico Garcia returns to the rotation following a strong statistical year between Lancaster and Hartford. Make no mistake about it, the enthusiasm for this club begins and ends with Nevin and Welker.

Colorado Rockies Top 30 Prospects

New Hampshire Fisher Cats Look Forward To Life After Vlad And Bo

The year after Vlad and Bo would be a let down for any minor league affiliate, but outside of Kevin Smith and some hard throwers like Jackson McClelland and Hector Perez this New Hampshire team lacks some of the sizzle Toronto’s other affiliates boast. I’ll be in the house for the opener looking to see a little more of Santiago Espinal, Chad Spanberger, Brock Lundquist, among others. Spanberger was acquired in the Seung-Hwan Oh deal last season, and struggled to match the same power in the Florida State League he had shown at earlier stops. Lundquist is a little more interesting to me. A sixth rounder out of Long Beach State, he’s shown the ability to get on base and hit for contact and average game power early in his professional career. His quality of contact numbers were very good last season with most of his contact split between line drives (23%) and flyballs (40%). There might be something here.

Toronto Blue Jays Top 30 Prospects

All About The Double D’s Dalbec and Darwinzon In Portland For 2019

Arguably the Red Sox top two prospects head to Portland this season, as third baseman Bobby Dalbec and Darwinzon Hernandez return. More on Darwinzon later, but 2019 is a huge year for Bobby Dalbec. A divisive prospect with some high end tools (arm, power, on base) and some very questionable power. A few years ago the Athletics’ Matt Chapman stood in a similar position with similar contact issues, since then he’s exceeded expectations and continued to improve his eye and approach. If Dalbec is able to make gains in the hit tool department, we might be talking about the Red Sox future third baseman.

Boston Red Sox Top 30 Prospects

The Rotation Leads The Way For The Fightin Phils

The games at FirstEnergy Stadium are known to get out of hand when it comes to homers, but if any team is prepared to weather that storm it’s the Fightin’ Phils. A rotation that boasts not only Top 100 Prospect Adonis Medina, but Mauricio Llovera, Connor Seabold, and David Parkinson. Medina is the second highest ranking pitching prospect on the circuit, and has been brilliant at times, but inconsistent. The outfield features the Phillies 2016 #1 overall Mickey Moniak, their 2017 first rounder Adam Haseley, 2015 first rounder Cornelius Randolph, and sleeper Austin Listi. It’s a deep outfield group, making up for a shallower infield the features Darick Hall and Arquimedes Gamboa as names to note. My bet is on Listi as the Reading Aided Breakout of 2019.

Philadelphia Phillies Top 30 Prospects

Trenton’s Rotation Of Righthanders That Throw Thunder

All talk of Trenton this year begins and ends with the quartet of righties that lead their rotation. With Trevor Stephan and Domingo Acevedo (again) returning, they welcome Albert Abreu and Garrett Whitlock into the fold. Anytime you take in Trenton Thunder game you’ll likely see a hard throwing right handed starter. The positional ranks lack any players of real note, though Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson is listed on the roster. Everybody wants to be Tim Tebow.

New York Yankees Top 30 Prospects

Come To Richmond To Watch Nolan Arenado’s Brother, Stay for Melvin Adon’s Fastball

The headline says it all, this team features Nolan Arenado’s brother Jonah, and a lot of signature Giants hitters. What’s a signature Giants hitter? That would be a lot of college bats without a whole lot of upside. Gio Brusa, Dylan Davis, and Heath Quinn have all had strong stretches, with that latter coming off the best year of his professional career. Quinn is certainly the Richmond hitter I’m most focused on when they swing through Hartford and Manchester. The pitching roster is headlined by Melvin Adon and lefty Garrett Williams.

San Francisco Giants Top 30 Prospects

Sleepers

Daniel Johnson, OF CLE (Akron)

Rylan Bannon, 2B (Bowie)

Zac Lowther, LHP BAL (Bowie)

Zach Pop, RHP BAL (Bowie)

Hector Perez, RHP TOR (New Hampshire)

Reid Humphreys, RHP COL (Hartford)

Will Toffey, 3B NYM (Binghamton)

Austin Listi, OF PHI (Reading)

Garrett Whitlock, RHP NYY (Trenton)

Sam Hentges, LHP CLE (Akron)

Connor Marabell, OF CLE (Akron)

Jared Oliva, OF PIT (Altoona)

Prospect Stock Up: Darwinzon Hernandez, LHP - Portland Sea Dogs

It’s been an off-season of buzz for the Sea Dogs’ imposing lefty. Following a strong 2018 campaign, Hernandez headed off to the Arizona Fall League to represent the Red Sox organization. There Hernandez displayed some of the nastiest stuff on circuit, throwing fastballs clocked as high as 98 MPH with spin rates of 2500+, pairing that with a curveball that earned the honor of the highest spin breaking ball in the AFL. An elite high-leverage reliever in the making, Hernandez will likely start in Portland, but there’s a very real chance we see him in Boston come August. Definitely an arm to monitor this season, if you love big stuff and strikeouts.

Prospect Stock Down: Albert Abreu, RHP - Trenton Thunder

At the time of the Brian McCann trade, until about a year immediately following, the world was pretty excited about Albert Abreu. We heard about his fastball velocity, his projectable secondaries, and the top of the rotation upside. Two year later what we have is a very different prospect than promised. My colleague Jason Woodell has covered Abreu extensively and has often been a bucket of cold water for his prospect stock. The fastball is 98-99, but straight, his curveball shows depth and shape, but lacks execution. His changeup is still identified as a plus pitch by Jason, but his noted struggles with his fastball make his overall package less effective. Perhaps I witness the renaissance of Abreu in 2019, or I get a first hand look at a future reliever.

Wishlist

Nate Pearson, RHP Toronto (#4 on our Blue Jays Top-30) - I just want to watch my radar touch triple digits over and over and over again. Everyone has seen Pearson first hand, now it’s time for Ralph.

Casey Mize, RHP Detroit (#1 on our Tigers Top-30) - The top overall pick in this year’s draft already featured a deep arsenal of secondaries and he added a new pitch this off-season in a “slurve”. Should get a glimpse in Lakeland on vacation early this spring, would be great to compare and contrast at different points months apart.

Spencer Howard, RHP Philadelphia (#6 on our Phillies Top-30) - I’m really just a velocity junkie. All the hype this offseason behind the Phillies right-hander has reached a fever pitch. Really excited for some summer dates with Reading.

Deivi Garcia, RHP Yankees (#2 in our Yankees Top-30) - Another Jason Woodell Florida Favorite, is like to get my eyes on. Another pitcher I may catch in the Florida State League of vacation and later in the year at home. Need to see that spin!

Nolan Jones, 3B Cleveland (#1 on our Indians Top-30) - The lone bat on my list is the Indians top position prospect. Advanced approach and burgeoning power, Jones might turn out to be one of the better bats I see in 2019 and 2020.

Joey Bart, C San Francisco (#1 in our Giants Top 30)

It’s rare you have a catching prospect worth being excited about on both sides of the ball, but in the Age Before Adely, Joey Bart is the goods. Should see Richmond at some point and make them kind of watchable.