Four of our evaluators have partnered together to create our Midseason Top 100. Matt Thompson, Jake Kerns, Adam Kiel, and Grant Carver all submitted individual entries, and the group subsequently came together to aggregate their lists, debate their rankings, and create the final list. Although the team has not explicitly come together to perform new evaluations on all of the included prospects, the rankings are derived from a combination of live looks, video looks, scout feedback, and data.
We have decided to include recent draftees despite them yet to sign. We're confident all of the included prospects - and there are more than a few who cracked the list - will sign with their respective teams. Slotting high school and college players among current professionals is no easy feat, but we feel we've done well to accurately represent the value and prospect status of those recently-selected players.
There was no debate at the top of the list, with both Elly De La Cruz and Jackson Holliday garnering a consensus at their individual ranking. Beyond them, however, presented heavy arguments, with some of the team demanding more respect for players like Dylan Crews. The evaluation team was split on whether he was immediately the best outfield prospect in the game, and we ultimately decided to opt for those players who have already hit their way to Double-A. Crews may soon join them and could be atop this list the moment Jackson Holliday inevitably graduates in 2024.
There have been numerous risers this year, which is both a function of the talent pool being down compared to past years and the performance of said risers. We were aggressively high on Junior Caminero coming into the year and one of, if not the only, outlets to include him in the preseason Top 100. He now ranks in the Top 10 after mashing his way to Double-A. Our #1 and #3 international prospects, Ethan Salas and Sebastian Walcott, have also stormed into the middle part of the list following impressive professional debuts as 17-year-olds. It's rare for a player so young to be rankly so highly, but both prospects have legitimate #1 overall upside and could become the face of the next generation of prospect.
This season has similarly presented us with some difficulties. There have seemingly been an abnormal amount of graduations and natural attrition on the list. Some Top 100 prospects continue to be plagued by the injury bug. Regardless, the season's uniqueness has provided us an opportunity to evaluate a new crop of talent, including the aforementioned international prospects and last year's draft class. Both Jacob Misiorowski and Noah Schultz have skyrocketed up the list, and either of them could be making a similar leap to that of Andrew Painter last year. Both are names to follow in the second half.
With all of those qualifiers, the evaluation is proud to present our official Midseason Top 100.
1. Elly De La Cruz - SS - Cincinnati Reds
There may not be a more electric player in baseball right now than Elly De La Cruz. He’s nearing his prospect graduation, but the 21-year-old has dazzled for the Reds since earning his big league promotion. He’s as tooled up as they come, showing off a trifecta of double-plus tools in his raw power, arm, and speed. De La Cruz was ranked as the fifth overall prospect coming into the season, but he’s jettisoned to the top of the list in part because he’s simply hitting more than most anticipated. He’s already a legitimate star at the big league level after his first 30 games in the majors, and it’s scary to think about what he could do during his peak seasons. The Reds have caught fire since his promotion, and the entire city and country have rallied around the talented shortstop.
2. Jackson Holliday - SS - Baltimore Orioles
Holliday was ranked 13th on our pre-season Top 100 list and has quickly moved up to second. Last year’s first overall pick has done everything expected of him and more, as he’s already made the climb to Double-A as a 19-year-old. He has one of the more visually appealing swings in the minor leagues, with elite bat speed and swing decisions. He also has one of the best approaches in the sport, rarely expanding the zone and making frequent contact despite facing more experienced pitchers along the way. He’s a plus runner and has the high baseball I.Q. to maximize his speed. He’s an explosive athlete with obvious big league bloodlines. While the power is plus, he’s just hitting the ball on the ground too much right now. That will improve. He’s the complete package, and the top prospect in baseball as soon as Elly De La Cruz graduates.
3. James Wood - OF - Washington Nationals
Wood was ranked 8th on our pre-season Top 100. The six-foot-six frame catches your immediate attention, and the build is unique for a baseball player. He’s thickened up and is powerful and high-waisted. He’s also absurdly strong. The 90% EVs are absolutely insane, and he has hit a few balls over 114 MPH off the bat as a 20-year-old. The frequency of his hard contact is one of the things that stands out, but he’s also a freakish athlete with above-average speed, making him a truly unique talent. He is able to manipulate the barrel better than most and finds a way to drive even pitchers’ pitches by creating optimal angles with the barrel. While the barrel control is plus, the strikeouts will still be a thing as he has some uncontrolled length to the swing and some issues with breaking balls from right-handers as they break toward him. He absolutely hammers fastballs, though, and won’t chase one off the plate. He won’t get into his power until he begins to pull the ball more, right now it's more of a middle-of-the-field approach offensively. One thing to watch is he has suffered two separate wrist injuries in his career and, if you were looking for something that could possibly slow him down, that would be it.
4. Jackson Chourio - OF - Milwaukee Brewers
Chourio was our 4th ranked prospect on our Top 100 in the preseason. He reached Double-A as an 18-year-old while showing double-plus power, a plus hit tool, a plus glove, and double-plus speed. It was as impressive as it gets. He’s back in Double-A this year and, after a very slow start, the peripheral stats are nearly identical to where they were last year while still maintaining that lightning-quick bat speed. The underlying batted ball data isn’t as strong as you would hope. He’s still a very aggressive free swinger that will make a lot of weak contact chasing pitcher’s pitches on the fringes of the zone and beyond but, when he gets a hold of one, he will drive pitches on the outer half out over the right-center field wall, really showing his backside power. He has cut the strikeouts down significantly from his last Double-A stint and has actually gotten them down to the level they were in High-A last year, which is impressive considering his age and the talent jump. He’s fought with his mechanics a bit this year as he’s been bailing out a bit on breaking balls, and the extra spin due to the baseballs in the Southern League isn’t helping him much there. He’s making adjustments but has been flying open more in my video looks and stepping in the bucket. I went back and looked at last year’s swing mechanics, and he didn’t utilize the leg lift that he does now as a trigger mechanism. He instead just rotated his front foot inward and coiled up before rotating his lead foot back and unloading. His timing is a tad different now, and it’s causing some timing issues.
5. Marcelo Mayer - SS - Boston Red Sox
Mayer was 14th on our pre-season Top 100 list. He was one of the top players in High-A this year in his 35-game sample before getting the bump up to Double-A. He was controlling the zone and hitting the ball with authority all over the diamond. There’s also some seriously underrated power to his pull-side. Mayer hits some absolutely mammoth homers and this is an indication to me that there’s plus power waiting to be drawn out with more refinement. The book on Mayer for us in the pre-season was that he would likely develop into a hit-over-power shortstop, but I think there might be a pair of future plus offensive tools here. He’s still maturing physically and, while the power is mostly gap-to-gap now, that will change as he adds strength. He does have some issues with contact on breaking balls, especially those lower in the zone, but, again, he’s still young.
6. Dylan Crews - OF - Washington Nationals
Crews had one of the most decorated collegiate careers in recent memory and was the top player on the Prospects Live draft board. The LSU product has above-average tools across the board, and his offensive skills are headline by his elite power numbers. He hit 58 home runs in his time on campus, including 18 in his final season, and he slashed .426/.567/.713 with a strikeout rate under 13.5% and a walk rate up over 20%. He doesn’t expand the zone (17% chase rate) and hits the ball harder than anyone in his class with an average exit velocity of over 96 MPH and a 90% EV of over 110 MPH. On top of what he can do in the box, he’s currently a plus runner, but likely to be above-average as he gets stronger. His plus arm makes him an ideal fit for right field.
7. Junior Caminero - 3B - Tampa Bay Rays
We had Junior Caminero ranked 70th on our pre-season Top 100 list. His ascent up prospect lists has been well documented by now, and he’s still ascending as a 19-year-old in Double-A who has put together a 134 wRC+.He absolutely crushed High-A pitching and was promoted to Double-A after just 36 games. He has double-plus bat speed and has really grown into his frame and become one of the most exciting players in the minors with an above-average hit tool and double-plus power projection. He’s a middle-of-the-order slugger and franchise-altering bat. One nitpick is he’s hitting the ball on the ground a little too much and, when he starts hitting for power to his pull-side more, he’s really going to start opening more eyes. He’s split his time between shortstop and third base in Double-A but, due to his size and frame, he’s going to eventually move to the hot corner. The arm is plus, but the foot speed and lack of lateral quickness make him better suited to play third.
8. Pete Crow-Armstrong - OF - Chicago Cubs
We ranked him 18th in our off-season Top 100, and he has the overall type of skills that can impact both sides of the ball. His double-plus defense and speed are the loudest tools in the profile, paving the way for an elite center fielder that takes incredible routes to balls. He should also be a stolen base threat. He excels at going back on balls with how he positions his body and stays in control. It's a plus arm with both above-average carry and accuracy, and his defensive skills alone could carve out a solid Kevin Kiermaier-type role, but he can also hit. He has above-average pull-side power but will use all fields. We’ve given him average hit and power tools and, if he could cut back just a little bit on chasing pitches outside the zone, the hit tool could bump up another grade. You can make an argument that Crow-Armstrong may be the Cubs’ best position player right now not named Dansby Swanson, and I don’t think I would disagree. Like Swanson, he has the ability to impact the game on both sides of the ball. He’s going to play center field and hit at or near the top of the lineup for the next half decade, at least, starting in 2024. There’s a real chance he breaks camp next spring with the starting center fielder job.
9. Evan Carter - OF - Texas Rangers
Carter has done nothing but hit since arriving in Double-A near the end of 2022. The 20-year-old’s approach and bat-to-ball skills truly stand out from the left side, and his growing frame suggests there’s more power to come. He’s a well-rounded and potentially five-tool player at the highest level, and there’s growing optimism that he’ll be able to impact the big league club within the next year. The Rangers sit atop the division at the halfway mark, and the combination of Carter and recently selected Wyatt Langford should only add to the impressive roster. Carter’s hit tool projects as plus, and all of his other tools are at least average. The Rangers are one of the better organizations at developing hitters, and there’s every reason to believe Carter can emerge as a future All-Star.
10. Paul Skenes - RHP - Pittsburgh Pirates
The best collegiate arm since Stephen Strasburg, the Pirates had to make the tough decision of deciding which LSU Tiger would be wearing the black and gold, and they went with Skenes. Much has been made of the fastball lacking ideal shape, but we’re not buying into that as he has elite velocity (averaged 98 MPH and touched 103 MPH on campus) with a 31% whiff rate. He pairs that with a sweepy slider that had a whopping 65% whiff rate. He has a changeup, as well, that has flashed plus in its somewhat limited usage, but it will become a much larger part of his arsenal in pro ball. He has plus command, a workhorse frame, and ace potential. The Pirates have indicated that he will pitch in 2023, which sets him up for a big league debut sometime in 2024.
11. Gavin Williams - RHP - Cleveland Guardians
The right-hander is now in the big leagues and holding his own with a fastball that has touched 99 MPH and is sitting 95 MPH. He’s six-foot-six and creates incredible extension down the mound, which only helps his stuff play up. The mechanics are sound, and his four-pitch arsenal has already played well against big league batters. He’s been fastball-dominant so far, which is understandable because the pitch projects as double-plus, and his primary offspeed pitch against right-handed hitters is his above-average slider. He’ll work in his plus curveball to left-handed hitters, and he rounds out the arsenal with a change that projects as average. The overall package suggests a future #2 starter.
12. Andrew Painter - RHP - Philadelphia Phillies
Painter was the best pitcher in minor league baseball last season as he tore through three levels of the minors and reached Double-A as a 19 year old. Entering the season he was our top ranked pitching prospect in the game but hasn’t thrown an inning in 2023 as he is attempting to rehab an elbow injury. When healthy the fastball sits 94-99 and touches 100 with serious ride. His best secondary is his mid-80s slider that has nearly a foot of sweep. It's a plus offering. His curveball and changeup are both above average offerings and everything plays due to his plus command. For him to remain this high on the list without having thrown a pitch is quite the statement.
13. Colton Cowser - OF - Baltimore Orioles
The 23-year-old hit his way to the big leagues, although the results at the highest level haven’t quite been there in a small sample. Cowser nonetheless projects as a plus hitter who should be capable of getting into at least average game power. He has great feel for the strike zone and will work counts until he finds something to drive. His underlying batted ball data is strong, and his offensive tools and long-term ability to play center field suggest a potential All-Star ceiling. He’s just one of many impressive under-25 players on the Orioles roster, and he figures to settle in as a top-of-the-order hitter.
14. Noelvi Marte - 3B - Cincinnati Reds
Marte was our 20th ranked prospect on our pre-season Top 100 list. He was exclusively a shortstop in his minor league career until he started playing some third base while at the AFL. He primarily played shortstop in Double-A but did mix in some third. He’s played third base in every game since arriving in Triple-A. We’ve long thought third base was his eventual position, and it seems the Reds may agree. The bat speed and his physical frame generate plus raw power that plays above-average in games, but his numbers did predictably dip ever so slightly in his Double-A stint. He makes above-average contact and has lowered his strikeout rate while basically maintaining his walk rate. His up-the-middle approach will transition to a more pull-heavy approach as he matures, and he is capable of 30+ homers in Cincinnati.
15. Jordan Lawlar - SS - Arizona Diamondbacks
Lawlar was ranked 12th on our pre-season Top 100. He’s dealt with his share of injuries in his brief professional career, the first of which was a labrum tear in his left shoulder in 2021 and then a fractured left scapula in the Arizona Fall League. When healthy, he’s posted above-average exit velocities and good speed. He has wide shoulders and is bigger than the typical shortstop and also young for the level here in Double-A. He’s posting strong walk rates and making enough contact, but he does noticeably struggle against spin, particularly curveballs. In the pre-season, we had the hit tool as plus, but I’ve seen enough that I would be willing to knock it down a half grade or so. The power is still plus, and he has incredible bat speed. There are some defensive concerns, as he made some fielding errors on routine balls and also had some issues throwing at times. I do think that will get ironed out, though.
16. Jackson Merrill - SS - San Diego Padres
Merrill is an above-average athlete with excellent defensive traits and a double-plus hit tool due to his excellent bat-to-ball skills. His zone contact rates have been up over 90% now for two straight seasons, and that is despite his swing heavy, aggressive approach. He’s lifting the ball much more than he did last year, which is great, and his line drive rate is very high. There’s a future double-plus hit and average power tool combination here. Merrill is a franchise shortstop. He is more of a table setter than he is a middle of the lineup bopper, and that’s due to how good the hit tool is. He’s above-average defensively and, while there is a clear log jam at the big league level, those things tend to work themselves out, and we still likely won’t see Merrill until late 2024 at the earliest. Even that would be aggressive.
17. Wyatt Langford - OF - Texas Rangers
In any other year, this is the top collegiate bat off the board and maybe even the top draft prospect but he was number three on the Prospects Live draft board, behind Dylan Crews and Paul Skenes. His report reads similar to Crews, but he just falls a bit short in all the metrics compared to his classmate. Like Crews, Langford has posted elite exit velocities while displaying excellent plate skills, highlighted by his strong control of the zone. Despite his size, he has posted double-plus run times and has a great shot of sticking in center for the Rangers while also hitting in the middle of the lineup. He’s proven he can handle velocity and has a chance to move quickly through the minors with the Rangers’ current competitive window.
18. Kyle Harrison - LHP - San Francisco Giants
Harrison is one of the most exciting pitching prospects in the minor leagues and was 19th on our preseason Top 100. He started the season in Triple-A before turning 22, which is something not many arms can say. The fastball has been averaging 94 MPH this year in Triple-A, and he can still touch 98 MPH from the left side when he needs it. The statcast data has split his slider into two distinct pitches, a traditional slider and more of a slurvy breaking ball, which is the preferred one by the young lefty. His changeup is fringe-average, and he’s not getting many whiffs with the pitch. His fastball plays up metrically due to its slightly above-average spin and low release. He’s had some issues with his command, and they have improved of late, but it still needs to be refined. He can become inefficient as he battles, and the Giants have been playing it safe with him as he’s only completed five innings once so far this year.
19. Colt Keith - 3B - Detroit Tigers
Keith was in the middle of a big breakout last year until he injured his shoulder which ended his season outside of an Arizona Fall League cameo. The Tigers sent Keith to Double-A to start the season, and he showed plus hit and power tools backed up by improved hard-hit data, exit velocities, and contact rates. Keith has continuously gotten stronger and developed a better plate approach, which has helped him elevate his power to plus and change the offensive profile. He’s going to be the crown jewel of the Tigers’ rebuild, and he looks like the type of hitter everyone predicted Torkelson would become, but from the left side. It’s an above-average hit tool with plus power. The only real question is where he plays because, while the arm is plus, the speed and range are below average.
20. Tink Hence - RHP - St. Louis Cardinals
Hence was 38th on our pre-season Top 100 list. There’s a lot to love about Hence, but I’ll start with his athleticism and flexibility on the mound, which allow him to create above-average extension with ease. He has double-plus arm speed with a loose, whippy finish and no issues with repeating despite its complexities. The fastball sits 94-96 MPH and touches 99 MPH, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he’s taken a bit off of the fastball at times to guide him through the season. He has a power curveball and an above-average change that he will mostly use against lefties. It seems since he’s come back from the chest injury that sidelined him for a month earlier in the season, that he is using the slider more than the curveball. The slider is thrown for more strikes, but it's an average pitch and is effective when it tunnels off of the fastball. He still needs to answer the durability and workload questions, and those won’t really ever go away since he’s a slightly-built arm. Hence was just promoted to Double-A at 20 years old.
21. Henry Davis - C/OF - Pittsburgh Pirates
Despite just ten games at the Triple-A level the Pirates promoted the 2021 first overall pick to the big leagues earlier this month. Davis has shown elite strength and posts strong exit velocity numbers. He’s a little on the short and stocky side physically, but that hasn’t hindered him to this point. Defensively he’s below average behind the plate but does yield a strong arm, which is a true weapon. The Pirates have been using him almost exclusively in right field so far since his promotion.
22. Heston Kjerstad - 1B/OF - Baltimore Orioles
Despite a serious bout with myocarditis that cost Kjerstad the entire 2021 season, we stuck with him and placed him 98th on our pre-season Top 100. Kjerstad showed off his impressive and easy raw power last year in the Arizona Fall League on his way to winning league MVP honors. He was aggressively assigned to Double-A to begin the season after just 65 professional (non-AFL) games under his belt, and he performed well enough that he has already been up in Triple-A for the better part of a month. His Triple-A data is impressive, showing an excellent blend of contact skills (91% Z-Contact) and power (108 MPH max EV, 107.5 MPH 95% EV).
23. Ricky Tiedemann - LHP - Toronto Blue Jays
Although the 20-year-old is currently on the shelf, Tiedemann has shown some of the best stuff from the left-side when healthy. He’s armed with a mid-90s fastball and pair of offspeed pitches that project as at least above-average. His changeup is his best secondary offering, showing great shape that stays off barrels, and he backs that up with a slider that also has bat-missing ability. He’s going to rack up a ton of strikeouts at the highest level due to his arsenal and ability to command the ball, and his biggest issue at this point is health. Recent reports suggest he’s back to his normal stuff in terms of velocity, although the Blue Jays continue to justifiably handle him with care. The upside is there for a future #2 starter.
24. Harry Ford - C - Seattle Mariners
Harry Ford was our 63rd-ranked prospect on our preseason Top 100 and has moved up this year. He isn’t your typical catcher, as his combination of plus speed and above-average power will make him a unicorn at the position, assuming he sticks there. His power is strength-based, and his naturally selective approach allows him to sit back and wait for his pitch to drive. Right before the 2021 draft, there was some talk of Ford moving to center field, so that gives you an idea of what kind of athlete we are dealing with here. Offensively, I mentioned the approach, and he has posted superb walk rates at every stop. It’s a passive approach, though, and he will need to be more aggressive as he climbs the ladder. The Mariners are taking it slow with Ford and, if they think he can catch, he will continue to move slowly through the system. If they start moving him around, he could be on the fast track due to the offensive tools.
25. JaKe Misiorowski - RHP - Milwaukee Brewers
Misiorowski has long limbs and generates insane extension down the mound with a low release point. His fastball looks like it is actually rising up at hitters because of his low VAA. He sits in the high-90s, has touched as high as 102 MPH, and posts spin rates up over 2,500 RPMs, all while getting seven feet of extension. His slider can get as high as 92 MPH with good tilt and late sweep, and he also throws a changeup and a curveball, which I doubt make much of an appearance in a showcase event like this. He does need to work on the consistency of his changeup, but he has been throwing his curveball a bit more for strikes lately. His dominating performance in the Future’s Game on the national stage gave you a glimpse of what he’s capable of.
26. Cade Horton - RHP - Chicago Cubs
Horton has a fastball that sits 95-97 MPH with good ride and attacks hitters north and south with it and the breaking ball. His slider is also a plus pitch with huge vertical break and is on the shortlist for one of the better secondaries in all of minor league baseball. He has tremendous feel for spin and, in addition to the two plus offerings, he rounds out the arsenal with a curveball and a changeup that also show promise. He commands everything well and, when it’s going well, can look unhittable. A minor criticism is he can be essentially a two-pitch guy at times, but they are both plus pitches. If the curveball or changeup takes another step, it’s true front-of- the-rotation stuff. Honestly, it might be already.
27. Luis Matos - OF - San Francisco Giants
Matos has been a big riser this year coming off of a down year in 2022 that just looks like an outlier season at this point. He has a hyper-aggressive approach but has also shown plus contact skills despite being the youngest position player in the majors. The floor here is fairly high and he is the best defensive center fielder in the organization, and his above-average speed and plus arm play very well in the spacious outfield in Oracle Park. The offensive gains are coming and as he matures the hit tool will begin playing as plus.
28. Masyn Winn - SS - St. Louis Cardinals
Winn maintains his top 100 placement despite what some may consider to be a down offensive year at Triple-A Memphis. Winn is the youngest player at Triple-A this year and is showing positive signs on offense of late as he’s getting into his power more to the pull side and controlling the zone very well. He still has that signature 80-grade arm and projects to be a future plus shortstop with some refinement. He uses his speed well and the complete package is an overall above-average big league shortstop. A human highlight reel.
29. Endy Rodriguez - C/OF - Pittsburgh Pirates
Endy Rodriguez was our 27th ranked prospect on our pre-season Top 100 list. The former Mets prospect has moved around the diamond in recent years, playing some second base, outfield, and first base, in addition to catching, and the interesting wrinkle here is that he was announced as an infielder, which most likely means first base for this game. He has only caught and played some first base this year and did miss a week or so with a forearm injury he suffered on a throw down to second base. Offensively, he’s a switch hitter with strong bat-to-ball skills and excellent athleticism. His swing decisions have regressed a little bit this year, and it’s really hurt his power numbers while dragging down the rest of his skills. I’d assume he’s trying to do too much in hopes of a promotion, but his time should be coming soon. Henry Davis has been exclusively a right fielder and designated hitter since his call up, and Rodriguez has always been the stronger defender of the two. Both prospects have plus arms, but Rodriguez has quick-twitch athleticism. They are both a bit on the smaller side for a catcher, but I have no issues with them sticking there, and especially with them controlling the running game.
30. Ethan Salas - C - San Diego Padres
The 17-year-old’s stock has exploded since he showed up in Single-A near the end of May. He’s battled through some slumps, but his performance of late has ticked up, and there simply may not be a more impressive prospect than Salas at the level. He has all of the makings of a future franchise catching, including a strong approach, bat-to-ball skills, power, and advanced defense. He’s primed to be a Top 25 prospect by year’s end, and that will come before he even reaches the upper minors. The teenager has a legitimate chance to emerge as the top prospect at some point during his minor league career, and he could also debut in the big leagues by his 20th birthday. He’s that impressive.
31. Tyler Soderstrom - C - Oakland Athletics
Soderstrom continues the run of catchers that made our preseason Top 100 list, where we slotted him 24th. Despite only being 21 years old, Soderstrom has played the entire season in Triple-A. He’s hit 20 homers and has some excellent underlying power metrics with big exit velocity numbers. His max EV this year in Triple-A is 113.5 MPH, and his 90% EV is up over 109 MPH. It’s double-plus power potential. He’s swung at more than half of the pitches he’s seen this year, which is an insane rate. He also chases too many pitches outside of the zone and needs to be more selective in the zone. The power numbers actually play down in games because of his current approach.
32. Coby Mayo - 3B - Baltimore Orioles
We’ve seemingly been the high outlet on Mayo for the last couple of seasons, and he’s validating our past rankings with his standout season in Double-A. He’s improved his approach and gotten into more of his gap and over-the-fence power this year, and he’s trending up as a whole. The six-foot-five behemoth has legitimate plus game power and a developing hit tool, and all of the components are in place for him to be an above-average offensive contributor at a corner infield position. There’s still some question about his long-term position, but he has both the plus arm to work at third base and the offensive profile to cross the requisite threshold at first base. He’s taken more reps at the latter this year than in years past, some of which may be a function of the Orioles being stockpiled all over the infield in the big leagues. Mayo’s on the shortlist for most impressive seasons in the minor leagues.
33. Colson Montgomery - SS - Chicago White Sox
Montgomery only recently got into game action after starting the year on the injured list, but he’s made up for lost time. Back in High-A after ending 2022 as a part of the “Birmingham Project,” Montgomery continues to flash at least four tools. He was famously drafted after Marcelo Mayer, Jordan Lawlar, Brady House, Kahlil Watson, and Matt McLain in a loaded shortstop class back in 2021, and it’s not unreasonable to say that his upside is near the entire lot. He offers an above-average hit tool and power, and there’s a growing sentiment that he can stick at shortstop despite his six-foot-three frame. Montgomery has an above-average arm that would also play at shortstop should his range back up, and he’s trending like someone who can be an above-average contributor on both sides of the ball. He’s easily the team’s top offensive prospect right now, with a shot to reach the big leagues by the end of 2024. His prospect stock has a chance to rise to close out the season now that he’s back on the diamond.
34. Jeferson Quero - C - Milwaukee Brewers
Quero has cemented himself as a Top 100 prospect with his strong showing this season as a 20-year-old in Double-A. We had some concerns about his power output and even the hit tool, because of how willing he is to expand the zone, and while he’s improved slightly in that department, his production this season has been so good that the concerns get quieted down a bit. He has always made contact at a high rate when he swings, but now he is hitting with authority, doing damage to the pull side and spraying the ball to all fields in Biloxi. He’s simply added a new element to his game, which elevates his offensive profile. He’s still a plus defender behind the plate, with a plus arm (caught stealing was 40% last year) and plus feet, and he moves incredibly well for the position. He’s getting rave reviews for his game calling and is adept at setting up hitters. There are some issues with his hands, specifically, his trigger that wasn’t getting him in a great hitting position, but he’s addressed that and was able to find the power stroke.
35. Mick Abel - RHP - Philadelphia Phillies
Abel was ranked 46th on our preseason Top 100, and I’d expect him to be similarly ranked in our upcoming mid-season update. Abel throws four pitches and all are average or better. His fastball is a plus pitch that touches 99 MPH, but the command of the pitch leaves a little to be desired and has caused some problems for him this year in Double-A Reading. He’s also losing a few ticks off of the fastball as he works deeper in games, and his command issues are leaving him little room for error. His two power breaking balls are swing and miss pitches but, again, the command hasn’t been sharp, and they are finding barrels, and his changeup has been inconsistent. I’d still grade his fastball and slider as plus offerings, though, and all four pitches as average or better, so I’m trying not to make this sound negative. We’re nitpicking an arm that will be pitching big time innings and hopefully starting playoff games for the Phillies.
36. Jordan Westburg - 2B/3B - Baltimore Orioles
The 24-year-old had an impressive first half of the minor league season before being promoted to the big leagues. He was above-average hit and power tools prior to his call up, and that should be his long-term offensive projection. He hasn’t hit the ball quite as hard as he did in the minors since arriving in Baltimore, but the hit tool and approach have held. The Orioles continue to split his time pretty equally between second and third base, and he could grow into an average defender at the keystone should the team commit to him there. The organization is stockpiled with infielders, though, and there’s a greater likelihood that he’ll always be moved around to get his bat in the lineup. It’s an offensive-driven profile, but one that offers above-average potential in all of the meaningful areas. His straight-line speed has also been better than anticipated.
37. Brady House - 3B - Washington Nationals
A back injury delayed the start of his season in 2022 and also ended it early after just 45 games, so I wouldn’t put much stock into his numbers from last year. This year, the big power and high-end exit velocities are back, and he’s striking out less. He’s officially moved to third base, which was a move that was talked about even on draft night, and he looks like he’s settled in and now comfortable at the plate. The chase rates and whiff rates are still higher than you want, but he’s hitting for a ton of power, so you aren’t going to mess with it. The plus arm and good hands should have no issues at third base, and he’s taking to the new position fairly well, per reports.
38. Kyle Manzardo - 1B - Tampa Bay Rays
We ranked Kyle Manzardo 51st on our pre-season Top 100. He might have the best pure hit tool in the upper levels of the minors, and the only hit tool in the Futures Game in the same stratosphere as Jackson Holliday’s. His approach is fantastic, and 2023 is the only year of his professional career where he isn’t flirting with more walks than strikeouts. He’s still displaying strong plate skills this year despite down numbers across the board, and I’m not concerned because his zone-contact rates and chase rates are plus. He’s not expanding the zone and making contact when he offers at a pitch in the zone. The knock on Manzardo is he only has average power which, at any other position, isn’t a concern, but for someone locked into first base it can be a minor nitpick.
39. Brooks Lee - SS - Minnesota Twins
Lee had one of the best offensive profiles in last year’s draft, and he’s done nothing but back up that billing since arriving in the minor leagues. He has a sound approach, plus bat-to-ball skills, and he’s also showing substantial gap power in the Texas League. His game power projects somewhere between average and above-average long-term, but that will play anywhere on the defensive spectrum due to his plus or better hit tool. The Twins have committed to Lee at shortstop so far in his career, but the tools may work best at either second or third base due to his limited range. His arm is above-average and would play in either position. Lee’s offensive tools are substantial, and he could establish himself as an above-average regular as soon as next season.
40. Druw Jones - OF - Arizona Diamondbacks
To say Jones has struggled since signing is an understatement. He has battled injuries and poor performance in his first year in the organization, and much of his ranking is tied to his combination of pedigree and raw tools. There’s perhaps as much volatility in his ranking as any prospect on this list, and the first order of business is to heal up and get back on the field. The reports we have on his swing are poor, but there’s no doubting his defensive ability and overall athleticism. His stock is in flux, but we’re keeping him near the middle of the list until we see more from him.
41. Jasson Dominguez - OF - New York Yankees
The Martian remains one of the toolsiest players in the entire minor leagues, but his performance to start the season has been underwhelming. He’s seeing a lot of pitches, often to his detriment, and he’s simply not creating enough contact for his plus power to play during games. He’ll need to make strides with his approach to maximize his offensive tools, and there are still some questions about whether he can stick in center field long-term. Dominguez has yet to flash all of his substantial tools at once. His ceiling probably isn’t as high as many evaluators thought when he came into pro ball, but the potential clearly exists for him to grow into an above-average regular and stalwart in the Yankees lineup. He just needs to make some improvements at the plate to get there.
42. Carson Williams - SS - Tampa Bay Rays
Williams was one of the most impressive teenagers in the minor leagues until the middle of June, which is conveniently when he turned 20 years old. The good news is July appears to be treating him much better, again looking like a viable power threat at shortstop. He’s done well to answer most of the defensive questions that clouded him at the time of the 2021 draft, but his combination of a plus arm and improving glovework suggests he could grow into an average defender at the six. The Rays are among the best at developing talent, and Williams’ offensive and defensive tools are significant enough to suggest he can grow into an above-average regular at the next level. His prospect rank should continue to improve as he makes more and better contact.
43. Drew Gilbert - OF - Houston Astros
A muscular five-foot-nine ball of energy, Gilbert has surged through the Astros system, already spending the majority of his season in Double-A despite being drafted in 2022. Offensively, he pairs strong pitch recognition skills with double-plus bat speed and will do damage in all quadrants of the zone. His bat path is optimized to create damage, and that’s exactly what he does. He should be good for 20-25 homers annually while working counts and getting on-base at an above-average clip. If he doesn’t stick in center field, he has the arm strength for right.
44. Max Clark - OF - Detroit Tigers
The Tigers took Clark third overall and he was fifth ranked on our Prospects Live draft board. He’s a legitimate five-tool talent. The bat is advanced for his age, and he doesn’t try to do too much at the plate, using all fields and hunting a pitch he can do damage with. He’s been adding power over the years and is now regarded as potentially having plus power as he physically matures. He looks like a true center fielder and has displayed plus run times, leaving little doubt about his future in the outfield. He’s a similar player to Pete Crow-Armstrong with potentially more power and better plate discipline at this point in his career. He was a Vanderbilt commit, but surely will be signing with the Tigers.
45. Termarr Johnson - 2B - Pittsburgh Pirates
Evaluators remain bullish on Johnson’s long-term projection despite his initial struggles in Single-A. He works counts, sometimes to his detriment, and there’s an innate combination of bat speed and bat-to-ball skills that suggest he’s going to also get into above-average game power. The young second baseman has not set the world on fire since making his professional debut, but the offensive tools are loud and he’s still just 19 years old. All told, Johnson has the upside of an All-Star, and there’s optimism that the Pirates can coax it out of him.
46. Emmet Sheehan - RHP - Los Angeles Dodgers
Sheehan has added the title for the top Dodgers’ pitching prospect after the graduation of Bobby Miller and our decision to leapfrog him over the similarly-ranked Nick Frasso. Sheehan has shown flashes in the big leagues, and he’s looking like a long-term starting pitcher, which wasn’t certain coming into the season. Armed with a truly elite fastball, Sheehan has the ability to miss bats and rack of strikeouts, although that’s yet to happen at the major league level. His time will come, and he’s just another in the long line of impressive pitchers in the Dodgers organization.
47. AJ Smith-Shawver - RHP - Atlanta Braves
The Braves, perhaps aggressively, promoted Smith-Shawver to the big leagues as a 20-year-old, and the right-hander more than held his own across four appearances. He’s back in Triple-A to begin July, but there’s a strong chance he’ll resurface in Atlanta in short order. Smith-Shawver primarily works in the 93-95 MPH range with his fastball, and he compliments that with a trio of offspeed pitches that all flash average or better. His slider is his preferred out-pitch and projects as above-average. He’s seemingly made gains in the control department, which was his biggest opportunity to improve his profile, and he’s now trending like a viable mid-rotation starter.
48. Sal Frelick - OF - Milwaukee Brewers
Frelick is a viable tool shed in center field with double-plus speed, plus defense, and an average arm. His offensive profile is largely driven by an advanced approach and innate bat-to-ball skills, and much of his ceiling will be dictated by his ability to impact the ball. He puts a ton of balls into play and will use his speed to his advantage to take an extra base, but his over-the-fence power is something closer to below-average than anything. The Brewers are well-stocked with youthful outfielders, but Frelick has the potential to emerge as a long-term starting center fielder who can contribute on both sides of the ball.
49. Marco Luciano - SS - San Francisco Giants
Luciano has tumbled down the Top 100 this year after beginning the year at #22. He missed the first month of the season and immediately went into a slump, but his performance has picked up over the last month. Power will be the calling card upon him reaching the big leagues, with potentially double-plus output at his peak, and there’s also still some hope that he can stick at shortstop, at least in the short-term. His plus arm would play well at third base, as would the power, and the biggest thing Luciano needs to do right now is focus on his approach and getting the bat on the ball. We were likely overly aggressive with his hit tool grade over the offseason, but even a fringe-average grade would allow his power to play and get him into a starting lineup. His recent performance has piqued our interest, and his upside remains comparable to some of the names twenty spots ahead of him. He should see the big leagues next season.
50. Walker Jenkins - OF - Minnesota Twins
Jenkins is another prep bat from this class that gets some praise for his five-tool potential. He was the fourth ranked prospect on the Prospects Live draft board, but went fifth overall to the Twins. In most seasons, he’s in the running for going number one overall, so the Twins have to be ecstatic to get Jenkins here. Offensively, he stands out due to his patience and power. He has excellent hip/shoulder separation and top end bat speed and should clear 30 home runs annually as he matures. He’s going to add weight and fill out, which will push him to right field. His plus arm will play there, though, and he should be just fine defensively.