Been slacking so far this offseason...time to play a little catch-up here
From BA's Dodgers Top 10: https://www.baseballamerica.com/teams/2 ... =preseason
10. Maddux Bruns
LHP
Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 205 | B-T: L-L
Age: null
BA Grade/Risk: 50/High.
Track Record: Bruns touched 97 mph at the Perfect Game National showcase to establish himself as one of the top prep pitchers in the 2021 draft class, though control problems surfaced throughout his senior year. The Dodgers drafted him 29th overall and signed him for $2,197,500. Bruns showed loud stuff but walked more than a batter per inning in his first full season at Low-A Rancho Cucamonga and repeated the level to start 2023. He improved his control and composure to earn a quick promotion to High-A Great Lakes and finished the year second in the Dodgers system with 126 strikeouts.
Scouting Report: Bruns has a strong, powerful 6-foot-2 frame and buzzworthy stuff. His plus fastball sits 94-96 mph and touches 98 with heavy armside life from the left side. His plus 74-78 mph curveball is a hammer with late snap and depth, and his 82-86 mph slider with angle and late bite is a third plus offering. He also has a fading, mid-80s changeup that flashes average potential, though he rarely throws it. Bruns shortened his arm stroke and became more consistent with his delivery in 2023 to improve his control, but he’s still a well below-average strike-thrower. He relies on overpowering hitters and must improve the control of his secondaries to get the most from his arsenal. Bruns has matured after frequently melting down on the mound in his first full season, but he still occasionally displays his frustration when his defense makes errors behind him. The Dodgers have worked with him on bouncing back better from adversity.
The Future: Bruns is moving in the right direction with his control and composure. He has a chance to be a hard-throwing, back-end starter or power reliever if he can continue those upward trends.
Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 60 | Slider: 60 | CHG: 50 | CTL: 30.
Down on the Farm - 2024
Moderator: Braves
Re: Down on the Farm - 2024
From BA's Giants Top 10: https://www.baseballamerica.com/teams/2 ... =preseason
1. Kyle Harrison
LHP
Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 200 | B-T: R-L
Age: null
BA Grade/Risk: 60/High.
Track Record: Harrison was the Giants’ third-rounder—but their fifth pick—in the five-round 2020 draft, but he earned the second-highest bonus in San Francisco’s class at $2,497,500. The class has been wildly successful, producing three big leaguers already: catcher Patrick Bailey, third baseman Casey Schmitt and Harrison, who made his first start with the Giants on Aug. 22. Before then, Harrison had spent his time in the minor leagues carving hitters with a mix of stuff and deception that led to 295 strikeouts over the last two seasons. That figure includes 186 strikeouts in 2022, which ranked second in the minors. Harrison’s 2023 season began with his first test at Triple-A, which meant a trip to the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. Beyond that, the league introduced an automated ball-strike system that led to tighter, less-forgiving strike zones. Harrison struggled to adjust to the ABS-enforced zone, and it led to 21 walks in 15.2 April innings. Though his command and control were never sparkling, he calmed down for the remainder of his tenure with Sacramento. Harrison closed his season on a high note, tossing five hitless innings against the Dodgers.
Scouting Report: After a month in the PCL, Harrison and the Giants realized his arsenal would need some tweaking in order to cross the final hurdles. First, they tried adding a gyro slider to his mix but scrapped it because he didn’t throw it with enough velocity. Eventually, they settled on a cutter in addition to his sweepier breaking ball in order to give him a pair of breaking pitches with a wider range of velocity separation. Harrison’s slider is thrown in the low 80s, while his cutter is thrown a few ticks higher in the upper 80s. The two pitches complement an excellent, mid-90s fastball with exceptional horizontal movement and a whiff rate of nearly 25% in MLB. The next piece of the puzzle is the continued development of the changeup. Harrison’s version of the pitch is thrown with a two-seam grip and comes in around 86 mph. In the minors, Harrison threw the changeup roughly 6% of the time, a figure that nearly doubled once he reached MLB. He still needs to show more consistency with the pitch overall, and he needs to prove he can throw it for a called strike instead of merely as a chase pitch. Harrison’s fastball and slider give him two potentially plus weapons. Now, it’s about cementing one or both of the changeup and cutter as reliable third and fourth options. He’ll also have to keep working to maintain his delivery, which gives him plenty of deception but also can negatively affect his control and command, which is unlikely to ever be better than fringy.
The Future: If Harrison can solidify either his cutter or changeup as a reliable third option and improve his control and command, he has the ceiling of a No. 2 starter. If not, he still should fit in the rotation, but perhaps more toward the middle or back. After an extended run in the big leagues in 2023, he’ll have the inside track at earning a rotation spot in 2024 and beyond.
Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60 | Slider: 60. Cutter: 50 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 45.
1. Kyle Harrison
LHP
Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 200 | B-T: R-L
Age: null
BA Grade/Risk: 60/High.
Track Record: Harrison was the Giants’ third-rounder—but their fifth pick—in the five-round 2020 draft, but he earned the second-highest bonus in San Francisco’s class at $2,497,500. The class has been wildly successful, producing three big leaguers already: catcher Patrick Bailey, third baseman Casey Schmitt and Harrison, who made his first start with the Giants on Aug. 22. Before then, Harrison had spent his time in the minor leagues carving hitters with a mix of stuff and deception that led to 295 strikeouts over the last two seasons. That figure includes 186 strikeouts in 2022, which ranked second in the minors. Harrison’s 2023 season began with his first test at Triple-A, which meant a trip to the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. Beyond that, the league introduced an automated ball-strike system that led to tighter, less-forgiving strike zones. Harrison struggled to adjust to the ABS-enforced zone, and it led to 21 walks in 15.2 April innings. Though his command and control were never sparkling, he calmed down for the remainder of his tenure with Sacramento. Harrison closed his season on a high note, tossing five hitless innings against the Dodgers.
Scouting Report: After a month in the PCL, Harrison and the Giants realized his arsenal would need some tweaking in order to cross the final hurdles. First, they tried adding a gyro slider to his mix but scrapped it because he didn’t throw it with enough velocity. Eventually, they settled on a cutter in addition to his sweepier breaking ball in order to give him a pair of breaking pitches with a wider range of velocity separation. Harrison’s slider is thrown in the low 80s, while his cutter is thrown a few ticks higher in the upper 80s. The two pitches complement an excellent, mid-90s fastball with exceptional horizontal movement and a whiff rate of nearly 25% in MLB. The next piece of the puzzle is the continued development of the changeup. Harrison’s version of the pitch is thrown with a two-seam grip and comes in around 86 mph. In the minors, Harrison threw the changeup roughly 6% of the time, a figure that nearly doubled once he reached MLB. He still needs to show more consistency with the pitch overall, and he needs to prove he can throw it for a called strike instead of merely as a chase pitch. Harrison’s fastball and slider give him two potentially plus weapons. Now, it’s about cementing one or both of the changeup and cutter as reliable third and fourth options. He’ll also have to keep working to maintain his delivery, which gives him plenty of deception but also can negatively affect his control and command, which is unlikely to ever be better than fringy.
The Future: If Harrison can solidify either his cutter or changeup as a reliable third option and improve his control and command, he has the ceiling of a No. 2 starter. If not, he still should fit in the rotation, but perhaps more toward the middle or back. After an extended run in the big leagues in 2023, he’ll have the inside track at earning a rotation spot in 2024 and beyond.
Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60 | Slider: 60. Cutter: 50 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 45.
Re: Down on the Farm - 2024
From BA's Cubs Top 10: https://www.baseballamerica.com/teams/2 ... =preseason
4. Owen Caissie
OF
Ht: 6'3" | Wt: 190 | B-T: L-R
Age: null
BA Grade/Risk: 55/High.
Track Record: Caissie stood out for his premium power on Canada’s junior national team and was drafted 45th overall by the Padres in 2020. The Padres signed him for just over $1.2 million and traded him to the Cubs six months later as part of a five-player package for Yu Darvish. Caissie moved quickly through the low minors and opened 2023 as Canada’s starting right fielder in the World Baseball Classic, where he hit a 427-foot home run off the batter’s eye at Chase Field. He carried his success into the regular season at Double-A Tennessee and finished in the top five in the Southern League in hits (147), doubles (31), home runs (22), RBIs (84) and OPS (.917).
Scouting Report: Caissie is a tall, long-limbed lefthanded hitter who is starting to fill out his frame. He makes thunderous contact with his natural leverage and strength and sends towering drives out to all fields. He generates plus power with little effort and posts some of the highest exit velocities in professional baseball. Caissie’s power is enormous, but he must make more contact to get to it. He struggles to be on time with his long limbs and goes through stretches where he strikes out prodigiously. His 164 strikeouts were third-most in the Southern League and he owns a 30% career strikeout rate. Caissie knows the strike zone and has flashed the ability to adjust in spurts, but must be more consistent to be even a fringy hitter. Caissie moves well for his size and is an above-average runner underway. He has improved to become an average defender in right field and has a plus arm that yielded 10 outfield assists in 2023.
The Future: Caissie has the power to be a middle-of-the-order force if he makes enough contact. Cutting his strikeouts will be a focus at Triple-A Iowa in 2024.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 60 | Speed: 55 | Fielding: 55 | Arm: 60.
4. Owen Caissie
OF
Ht: 6'3" | Wt: 190 | B-T: L-R
Age: null
BA Grade/Risk: 55/High.
Track Record: Caissie stood out for his premium power on Canada’s junior national team and was drafted 45th overall by the Padres in 2020. The Padres signed him for just over $1.2 million and traded him to the Cubs six months later as part of a five-player package for Yu Darvish. Caissie moved quickly through the low minors and opened 2023 as Canada’s starting right fielder in the World Baseball Classic, where he hit a 427-foot home run off the batter’s eye at Chase Field. He carried his success into the regular season at Double-A Tennessee and finished in the top five in the Southern League in hits (147), doubles (31), home runs (22), RBIs (84) and OPS (.917).
Scouting Report: Caissie is a tall, long-limbed lefthanded hitter who is starting to fill out his frame. He makes thunderous contact with his natural leverage and strength and sends towering drives out to all fields. He generates plus power with little effort and posts some of the highest exit velocities in professional baseball. Caissie’s power is enormous, but he must make more contact to get to it. He struggles to be on time with his long limbs and goes through stretches where he strikes out prodigiously. His 164 strikeouts were third-most in the Southern League and he owns a 30% career strikeout rate. Caissie knows the strike zone and has flashed the ability to adjust in spurts, but must be more consistent to be even a fringy hitter. Caissie moves well for his size and is an above-average runner underway. He has improved to become an average defender in right field and has a plus arm that yielded 10 outfield assists in 2023.
The Future: Caissie has the power to be a middle-of-the-order force if he makes enough contact. Cutting his strikeouts will be a focus at Triple-A Iowa in 2024.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 60 | Speed: 55 | Fielding: 55 | Arm: 60.
Re: Down on the Farm - 2024
From BA's Brewers Top 10: https://www.baseballamerica.com/teams/2 ... =preseason
3. Jeferson Quero
C
Ht: 5'11" | Wt: 215 | B-T: R-R
Age: null
BA Grade/Risk: 55/High.
Track Record: When the Brewers signed Quero out of Venezuela for $200,000 in 2019, they quickly realized he was one of the best international catching prospects in the class. As a 20-year-old in 2023, he was one of the youngest players in the Double-A Southern League. He threw out 35% of basestealers and allowed 1.05 attempts per game, both rates among the best by minor league catchers with at least 50 games caught.
Scouting Report: Quero is one of the best defensive catchers in the minors. Pitchers love throwing to Quero, who is an energetic leader with a high baseball IQ with polished catch-and-throw skills. He’s a good receiver and an agile defender with a knack for blocking breaking balls in the dirt. With his plus arm and quick release, Quero controls the running game well with pop times often under 1.9 seconds on throws to second base. Quero shines with the glove, but his offensive game took a leap forward in 2023 as well to solidify his status as one of the game’s best catching prospects. With a slightly open setup, he has a simple lower half load with a small toe tap, quiet hands and is a good fastball hitter who doesn’t swing and miss often at pitches in the strike zone. He is an aggressive hitter who will need to develop more selectivity, particularly against offspeed stuff, but he has good bat control and added more power to his game in 2023, with exit velocities up to 111 mph and a chance to be a 20-25 home run hitter.
The Future: Ticketed to open 2024 in Triple-A Nashville, Quero will likely spend most of the year there, though he could make his major league debut by the end of the season, when he will still be just 21 years old. If he can continue to refine his swing decisions, he has the upside to develop into a plus regular behind the plate.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Speed: 40 | Fielding: 70 | Arm: 70.
4. Tyler Black
3B
Ht: 5'10" | Wt: 190 | B-T: L-R
Age: null
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Medium.
Track Record: Black was an on-base machine at Wright State, where he hit .383/.496/.683 in 2021, when the Brewers drafted him 33rd overall. His first full season in 2022 ended after 64 games when he fractured his scapula while making a diving catch in center field. He returned in 2023, spending most of his time at third base and posting the highest OPS of any prospect in the organization with at least 200 plate appearances.
Scouting Report: Black has elite plate discipline and consistently works himself into favorable counts and piles up walks. His lefthanded swing starts with a high, hanging leg kick and he’s typically on time, leading to a high contact rate. Black keeps his hands inside the ball well with a tight barrel turn, allowing him to cover the inner third of the plate while maintaining an all-fields approach. He’s a good low-ball hitter, though he had trouble making contact with fastballs up in the zone. Black showed more power in 2023, though it’s still fringe-average raw power that mostly comes to his pull side. Black is a good athlete, a plus runner and a smart, aggressive baserunner who gets good jumps, leading the organization with 55 stolen bases. Black has long been an offensive-oriented player trying to find a position. Primarily a second baseman in college, he played mostly second base and center field in 2022, then became a primary third baseman in 2023. While he made progress during the season, he’s a below-average defender there with a fringe-average arm, limited range and footwork that needs improvement. He got time at first base as well.
The Future: Black’s hitting polish should allow him to make his major league debut early in 2024, potentially as Milwaukee’s starting third baseman. He’s a potential league-average regular, with more upside if he can tap into more power or improve his defense.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 45 | Speed: 60 | Fielding: 40 | Arm: 45.
5. Robert Gasser
LHP
Ht: 6'0" | Wt: 192 | B-T: L-L
Age: null
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Medium.
Track Record: Gasser’s strong 2021 season at Houston, when he showed improved stuff and performance, bolstered his draft stock and led the Padres to take him that year in the second round. During Gasser’s first full season in 2022, the Brewers acquired him in the trade deadline deal that sent reliever Josh Hader to San Diego. In the first two months of 2023, Gasser had trouble with strikes, posting a 4.59 ERA in 49 innings with an 11.7% walk rate and 60% strike rate, but he turned things around after that, posting a 3.34 ERA in 86.1 innings, slicing his walk rate nearly in half to 6.5%, with 67% strikes the rest of the season. He led all Triple-A pitchers with 166 strikeouts.
Scouting Report: With a fastball that sits at 89-93 mph and will occasionally tickle 95, Gasser doesn’t overpower hitters. Instead he relies on his pitchability and willingness to liberally mix in all of his pitches to keep hitters guessing. He throws both a four-seamer and a two-seam fastball, with his two-seamer producing lively armside run with 16 inches of horizontal break from a low release height. He added an average cutter to his mix as well in the upper-80s that he uses more against righties. Gasser uses those fastballs and his cutter in about a 50-50 mix with his slider and changeup. His low-80s slider is his best pitch, with deep lateral movement at 16-18 inches of horizontal break to run away from lefties or to throw to the back foot of a righty. Gasser’s changeup has a lot of fade away from lefties, but it’s an upper-80s pitch that doesn’t have much separation from his fastball.
The Future: After spending all of 2023 in Triple-A, Gasser is ready for a rotation spot in Milwaukee. He’s likely a back-end starter, though some scouts see enough upside for more.
Scouting Grades: Fastball: 50 | Slider: 55. Cutter: 50 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 50.
3. Jeferson Quero
C
Ht: 5'11" | Wt: 215 | B-T: R-R
Age: null
BA Grade/Risk: 55/High.
Track Record: When the Brewers signed Quero out of Venezuela for $200,000 in 2019, they quickly realized he was one of the best international catching prospects in the class. As a 20-year-old in 2023, he was one of the youngest players in the Double-A Southern League. He threw out 35% of basestealers and allowed 1.05 attempts per game, both rates among the best by minor league catchers with at least 50 games caught.
Scouting Report: Quero is one of the best defensive catchers in the minors. Pitchers love throwing to Quero, who is an energetic leader with a high baseball IQ with polished catch-and-throw skills. He’s a good receiver and an agile defender with a knack for blocking breaking balls in the dirt. With his plus arm and quick release, Quero controls the running game well with pop times often under 1.9 seconds on throws to second base. Quero shines with the glove, but his offensive game took a leap forward in 2023 as well to solidify his status as one of the game’s best catching prospects. With a slightly open setup, he has a simple lower half load with a small toe tap, quiet hands and is a good fastball hitter who doesn’t swing and miss often at pitches in the strike zone. He is an aggressive hitter who will need to develop more selectivity, particularly against offspeed stuff, but he has good bat control and added more power to his game in 2023, with exit velocities up to 111 mph and a chance to be a 20-25 home run hitter.
The Future: Ticketed to open 2024 in Triple-A Nashville, Quero will likely spend most of the year there, though he could make his major league debut by the end of the season, when he will still be just 21 years old. If he can continue to refine his swing decisions, he has the upside to develop into a plus regular behind the plate.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Speed: 40 | Fielding: 70 | Arm: 70.
4. Tyler Black
3B
Ht: 5'10" | Wt: 190 | B-T: L-R
Age: null
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Medium.
Track Record: Black was an on-base machine at Wright State, where he hit .383/.496/.683 in 2021, when the Brewers drafted him 33rd overall. His first full season in 2022 ended after 64 games when he fractured his scapula while making a diving catch in center field. He returned in 2023, spending most of his time at third base and posting the highest OPS of any prospect in the organization with at least 200 plate appearances.
Scouting Report: Black has elite plate discipline and consistently works himself into favorable counts and piles up walks. His lefthanded swing starts with a high, hanging leg kick and he’s typically on time, leading to a high contact rate. Black keeps his hands inside the ball well with a tight barrel turn, allowing him to cover the inner third of the plate while maintaining an all-fields approach. He’s a good low-ball hitter, though he had trouble making contact with fastballs up in the zone. Black showed more power in 2023, though it’s still fringe-average raw power that mostly comes to his pull side. Black is a good athlete, a plus runner and a smart, aggressive baserunner who gets good jumps, leading the organization with 55 stolen bases. Black has long been an offensive-oriented player trying to find a position. Primarily a second baseman in college, he played mostly second base and center field in 2022, then became a primary third baseman in 2023. While he made progress during the season, he’s a below-average defender there with a fringe-average arm, limited range and footwork that needs improvement. He got time at first base as well.
The Future: Black’s hitting polish should allow him to make his major league debut early in 2024, potentially as Milwaukee’s starting third baseman. He’s a potential league-average regular, with more upside if he can tap into more power or improve his defense.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 45 | Speed: 60 | Fielding: 40 | Arm: 45.
5. Robert Gasser
LHP
Ht: 6'0" | Wt: 192 | B-T: L-L
Age: null
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Medium.
Track Record: Gasser’s strong 2021 season at Houston, when he showed improved stuff and performance, bolstered his draft stock and led the Padres to take him that year in the second round. During Gasser’s first full season in 2022, the Brewers acquired him in the trade deadline deal that sent reliever Josh Hader to San Diego. In the first two months of 2023, Gasser had trouble with strikes, posting a 4.59 ERA in 49 innings with an 11.7% walk rate and 60% strike rate, but he turned things around after that, posting a 3.34 ERA in 86.1 innings, slicing his walk rate nearly in half to 6.5%, with 67% strikes the rest of the season. He led all Triple-A pitchers with 166 strikeouts.
Scouting Report: With a fastball that sits at 89-93 mph and will occasionally tickle 95, Gasser doesn’t overpower hitters. Instead he relies on his pitchability and willingness to liberally mix in all of his pitches to keep hitters guessing. He throws both a four-seamer and a two-seam fastball, with his two-seamer producing lively armside run with 16 inches of horizontal break from a low release height. He added an average cutter to his mix as well in the upper-80s that he uses more against righties. Gasser uses those fastballs and his cutter in about a 50-50 mix with his slider and changeup. His low-80s slider is his best pitch, with deep lateral movement at 16-18 inches of horizontal break to run away from lefties or to throw to the back foot of a righty. Gasser’s changeup has a lot of fade away from lefties, but it’s an upper-80s pitch that doesn’t have much separation from his fastball.
The Future: After spending all of 2023 in Triple-A, Gasser is ready for a rotation spot in Milwaukee. He’s likely a back-end starter, though some scouts see enough upside for more.
Scouting Grades: Fastball: 50 | Slider: 55. Cutter: 50 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 50.
Re: Down on the Farm - 2024
From BA's Pirates Top 10: https://www.baseballamerica.com/teams/2 ... =preseason
10. Braxton Ashcraft
RHP
Ht: 6'5" | Wt: 195 | B-T: L-R
Age: null
BA Grade/Risk: 50/High.
Track Record: In high school, Ashcraft’s big frame and athleticism made him an outstanding enough wide receiver to catch 37 touchdowns in his junior season. He focused on the diamond exclusively in his senior year and showed well both on the mound and in the batter’s box. The Pirates drafted him in the second round in 2018 and signed him for $1.825 million. Since then, his career has been waylaid a bit, first by the pandemic and then by Tommy John surgery that limited his 2021 season to 38.2 innings and erased his 2022 season entirely. He got back on the hill in 2023 and impressed at High-A and Double-A while dealing with a carefully managed workload.
Scouting Report: In his return to the hill, Ashcraft impressed by mixing power stuff with superb control. He starts his repertoire with a four-seam fastball that sat at 95 mph and showed impressive life through the zone. The fastball was backed with a slider, a curveball and an occasional cutter. Part of Ashcraft’s development will involve making sure he varies the shapes on the cutter and slider to make them distinct offerings. Scouts peg his slider, which sat around 87 mph, as a potentially plus pitch, and rated his low-80s curveball as a future above-average offering. His cutter sat around the same velocity as his slider but was thrown just 5% of the time. Ashcraft has thrown a changeup but mostly shelved it in 2023 in order to focus on other areas of development. He ties his mix together with outstanding control that allowed him to throw strikes at a rate of 70% across all three of his stops.
The Future: The Pirates will have to continue to carefully manage Ashcraft’s workload in 2024, but what they saw in 2023 adds yet another interesting pitching prospect to their system. He should reach Triple-A and has an outside chance of making his MLB debut at some point in the second half.
Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 60.
10. Braxton Ashcraft
RHP
Ht: 6'5" | Wt: 195 | B-T: L-R
Age: null
BA Grade/Risk: 50/High.
Track Record: In high school, Ashcraft’s big frame and athleticism made him an outstanding enough wide receiver to catch 37 touchdowns in his junior season. He focused on the diamond exclusively in his senior year and showed well both on the mound and in the batter’s box. The Pirates drafted him in the second round in 2018 and signed him for $1.825 million. Since then, his career has been waylaid a bit, first by the pandemic and then by Tommy John surgery that limited his 2021 season to 38.2 innings and erased his 2022 season entirely. He got back on the hill in 2023 and impressed at High-A and Double-A while dealing with a carefully managed workload.
Scouting Report: In his return to the hill, Ashcraft impressed by mixing power stuff with superb control. He starts his repertoire with a four-seam fastball that sat at 95 mph and showed impressive life through the zone. The fastball was backed with a slider, a curveball and an occasional cutter. Part of Ashcraft’s development will involve making sure he varies the shapes on the cutter and slider to make them distinct offerings. Scouts peg his slider, which sat around 87 mph, as a potentially plus pitch, and rated his low-80s curveball as a future above-average offering. His cutter sat around the same velocity as his slider but was thrown just 5% of the time. Ashcraft has thrown a changeup but mostly shelved it in 2023 in order to focus on other areas of development. He ties his mix together with outstanding control that allowed him to throw strikes at a rate of 70% across all three of his stops.
The Future: The Pirates will have to continue to carefully manage Ashcraft’s workload in 2024, but what they saw in 2023 adds yet another interesting pitching prospect to their system. He should reach Triple-A and has an outside chance of making his MLB debut at some point in the second half.
Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 60.
Re: Down on the Farm - 2024
From BA's Phillies Top 10: https://www.baseballamerica.com/teams/2 ... =preseason
1. Andrew Painter
RHP
Ht: 6'7" | Wt: 215 | B-T: R-R
Age: null
BA Grade/Risk: 70/Extreme.
Track Record: In 2021, Painter was a unanimous member of Baseball America’s Preseason High School All-America team, as voted on by amateur scouting directors. Later that summer, the Phillies drafted him 13th overall out of Calvary Christian Academy in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. They signed him for an under-slot bonus of $3.9 million. He pitched six shutout innings in his pro debut, then used his first full season to establish himself as one of the best pitching prospects in the sport. He moved from Low-A to Double-A—a rare feat for a prep pitcher in his first full year. Other pitchers to do the same include Zack Greinke, Clayton Kershaw, Dylan Bundy, Chad Billingsley and Forrest Whitley. He struck out 155 hitters in 103.2 innings and won BA’s inaugural Minor League Pitcher of the Year award. His strikeout total was good enough to lead the organization by 22. Painter also earned the Paul Owens award, given annually to the top hitter and pitcher in the Phillies’ minor league system. In 2023, he was invited to big league spring training and made one appearance before elbow pain cropped up. He made several attempts to rehab the injury before having Tommy John surgery in late July. He will likely miss all of 2024.
Scouting Report: When healthy, Painter showed an elite combination of stuff, command and poise. His fastball, which parked in the mid 90s and topped out at 101 mph, showed excellent induced vertical break and spin rates in the 2,400 rpm range. All of those factors make the pitch a potential double-plus offering. He backs the fastball with an array of offspeed weapons, the best of which is a potentially plus slider. In 2022, the pitch, which is thrown in the low 80s, produced spin rates in the range of 2,500 rpm and averaged roughly 12 inches of horizontal break. As the season wore on, he showed more conviction in the rest of his repertoire, a high-80s changeup and a high-70s curveball. The former produced respective whiff and chase rates of 55% and 38%, while the latter could blend with his slider but showed average potential at its best. He tied his pitch mix together with uncommon poise for a pitcher of his age and experience and a smooth, repeatable delivery with excellent extension. He has the potential for double-plus control, which showed up when he walked just two hitters in 28.1 innings at Double-A Reading, which is one of the most hitter-friendly atmospheres in the minor leagues.
The Future: If he had been healthy, Painter was a candidate to reach the big leagues in 2023. Now, his first start at Citizens Bank Park will not likely come until sometime in the 2025 season. If he arrives showing the same combination of stuff, control and poise he displayed in 2022, he has a chance to pitch at the front of Philadelphia’s rotation for years to come.
Scouting Grades: Fastball: 70 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 70
1. Andrew Painter
RHP
Ht: 6'7" | Wt: 215 | B-T: R-R
Age: null
BA Grade/Risk: 70/Extreme.
Track Record: In 2021, Painter was a unanimous member of Baseball America’s Preseason High School All-America team, as voted on by amateur scouting directors. Later that summer, the Phillies drafted him 13th overall out of Calvary Christian Academy in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. They signed him for an under-slot bonus of $3.9 million. He pitched six shutout innings in his pro debut, then used his first full season to establish himself as one of the best pitching prospects in the sport. He moved from Low-A to Double-A—a rare feat for a prep pitcher in his first full year. Other pitchers to do the same include Zack Greinke, Clayton Kershaw, Dylan Bundy, Chad Billingsley and Forrest Whitley. He struck out 155 hitters in 103.2 innings and won BA’s inaugural Minor League Pitcher of the Year award. His strikeout total was good enough to lead the organization by 22. Painter also earned the Paul Owens award, given annually to the top hitter and pitcher in the Phillies’ minor league system. In 2023, he was invited to big league spring training and made one appearance before elbow pain cropped up. He made several attempts to rehab the injury before having Tommy John surgery in late July. He will likely miss all of 2024.
Scouting Report: When healthy, Painter showed an elite combination of stuff, command and poise. His fastball, which parked in the mid 90s and topped out at 101 mph, showed excellent induced vertical break and spin rates in the 2,400 rpm range. All of those factors make the pitch a potential double-plus offering. He backs the fastball with an array of offspeed weapons, the best of which is a potentially plus slider. In 2022, the pitch, which is thrown in the low 80s, produced spin rates in the range of 2,500 rpm and averaged roughly 12 inches of horizontal break. As the season wore on, he showed more conviction in the rest of his repertoire, a high-80s changeup and a high-70s curveball. The former produced respective whiff and chase rates of 55% and 38%, while the latter could blend with his slider but showed average potential at its best. He tied his pitch mix together with uncommon poise for a pitcher of his age and experience and a smooth, repeatable delivery with excellent extension. He has the potential for double-plus control, which showed up when he walked just two hitters in 28.1 innings at Double-A Reading, which is one of the most hitter-friendly atmospheres in the minor leagues.
The Future: If he had been healthy, Painter was a candidate to reach the big leagues in 2023. Now, his first start at Citizens Bank Park will not likely come until sometime in the 2025 season. If he arrives showing the same combination of stuff, control and poise he displayed in 2022, he has a chance to pitch at the front of Philadelphia’s rotation for years to come.
Scouting Grades: Fastball: 70 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 70
Re: Down on the Farm - 2024
From BA's Nationals Top 10: https://www.baseballamerica.com/teams/2 ... =preseason
3. Brady House
3B
Ht: 6'4" | Wt: 215 | B-T: R-R
Age: null
BA Grade/Risk: 55/High.
Track Record: House was one of four premium high school shortstops at the top of the 2021 draft class, alongside Jordan Lawlar, Marcelo Mayer and Kahlil Watson. The Nationals drafted House 11th overall and signed him for $5 million, which was about 10% over slot. In his pro debut he displayed his double-plus power at the Florida Complex League, but his 2022 followup was compromised with a back injury and he was shut down in early June. The lack of power led to questions about his future projections. Those questions subsided when House hit .312/.365/.497 in 2023 and reached Double-A Harrisburg on July 18.
Scouting Report: Easy plus raw power and loud offensive tools are House’s calling card. He hit a ball as hard as 113 mph in 2023 and averaged 91 overall. He makes a lot of hard contact at productive angles. House has shown ability to hit to all fields and has improved at hitting velocity—something he struggled with since his debut. But he chases pitches off the plate frequently and swings and misses enough to introduce hittability questions. House needs to work on patience at the plate and drawing walks, but he no longer faces questions about impact potential that arose after his flat 2022 season. The Nationals moved House from shortstop to third base, where his range is a better fit and his plus arm plays well. House stayed off the injured list in 2023 but appeared in just 88 games as the Nationals tightly managed his workload.
The Future: The further he gets from his back injury, the more House looks like the player the Nationals drafted. He should be Washington’s answer at third base but won’t see the major leagues for another full season. He should start the year at Double-A and reach Triple-A by the end of 2024.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Speed: 50 | Fielding: 55 | Arm: 60.
3. Brady House
3B
Ht: 6'4" | Wt: 215 | B-T: R-R
Age: null
BA Grade/Risk: 55/High.
Track Record: House was one of four premium high school shortstops at the top of the 2021 draft class, alongside Jordan Lawlar, Marcelo Mayer and Kahlil Watson. The Nationals drafted House 11th overall and signed him for $5 million, which was about 10% over slot. In his pro debut he displayed his double-plus power at the Florida Complex League, but his 2022 followup was compromised with a back injury and he was shut down in early June. The lack of power led to questions about his future projections. Those questions subsided when House hit .312/.365/.497 in 2023 and reached Double-A Harrisburg on July 18.
Scouting Report: Easy plus raw power and loud offensive tools are House’s calling card. He hit a ball as hard as 113 mph in 2023 and averaged 91 overall. He makes a lot of hard contact at productive angles. House has shown ability to hit to all fields and has improved at hitting velocity—something he struggled with since his debut. But he chases pitches off the plate frequently and swings and misses enough to introduce hittability questions. House needs to work on patience at the plate and drawing walks, but he no longer faces questions about impact potential that arose after his flat 2022 season. The Nationals moved House from shortstop to third base, where his range is a better fit and his plus arm plays well. House stayed off the injured list in 2023 but appeared in just 88 games as the Nationals tightly managed his workload.
The Future: The further he gets from his back injury, the more House looks like the player the Nationals drafted. He should be Washington’s answer at third base but won’t see the major leagues for another full season. He should start the year at Double-A and reach Triple-A by the end of 2024.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Speed: 50 | Fielding: 55 | Arm: 60.
Re: Down on the Farm - 2024
From BA's Red Sox Top 10: https://www.baseballamerica.com/teams/2 ... =preseason
5. Miguel Bleis
OF
Ht: 6'0" | Wt: 170 | B-T: R-R
Age: null
BA Grade/Risk:55/Extreme.
Track Record: Based on Bleis’ electrifying bat speed and five-tool potential, the Red Sox signed him for $1.5 million in 2021—their biggest bonus for a Dominican amateur since Rafael Devers in 2013. Bleis’ dynamic potential remained evident in two years of Rookie complex ball in 2021 and 2022, as well as at the start of the 2023 campaign in Low-A Salem. However, a subluxation in his left shoulder resulted in season-ending surgery in June. Bleis had resumed baseball activities—including swinging—by the fall and was expected to be healthy for spring training.
Scouting Report: Bleis has tools that give him franchise-changing upside, but with performance and injury risks that offer little floor. His bat speed creates the ability to launch fastballs of any velocity. He’s one of the fastest runners in the Red Sox system, and his combination of speed and jumps creates a high defensive ceiling. However, he has the floor-crumbling traits of a typical teenager. He’s a free-swinger who has a lot of work to do to improve against breaking balls. Moreover, while the Red Sox were optimistic about Bleis’ recovery from a surgery that was similar to that of Fernando Tatis Jr., any shoulder surgery carries some risk of altering a player’s swing and approach. Defensively, Bleis is a glider in center field who has been particularly adept at coming in on fly balls, while still working on routes on balls over his head. Still, his speed creates significant upside both in the outfield—particularly given his excellent arm strength—and on the bases.
The Future: Bleis carries a significant amount of bust risk in his profile but also a ceiling unrivaled in the system. After his lost 2023 campaign, assuming a return to health, he should open 2024 back in Salem but with a chance to reach High-A Greenville by the end of the year.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 60 | Run: 60 | Fielding: 60 | Arm: 60.
5. Miguel Bleis
OF
Ht: 6'0" | Wt: 170 | B-T: R-R
Age: null
BA Grade/Risk:55/Extreme.
Track Record: Based on Bleis’ electrifying bat speed and five-tool potential, the Red Sox signed him for $1.5 million in 2021—their biggest bonus for a Dominican amateur since Rafael Devers in 2013. Bleis’ dynamic potential remained evident in two years of Rookie complex ball in 2021 and 2022, as well as at the start of the 2023 campaign in Low-A Salem. However, a subluxation in his left shoulder resulted in season-ending surgery in June. Bleis had resumed baseball activities—including swinging—by the fall and was expected to be healthy for spring training.
Scouting Report: Bleis has tools that give him franchise-changing upside, but with performance and injury risks that offer little floor. His bat speed creates the ability to launch fastballs of any velocity. He’s one of the fastest runners in the Red Sox system, and his combination of speed and jumps creates a high defensive ceiling. However, he has the floor-crumbling traits of a typical teenager. He’s a free-swinger who has a lot of work to do to improve against breaking balls. Moreover, while the Red Sox were optimistic about Bleis’ recovery from a surgery that was similar to that of Fernando Tatis Jr., any shoulder surgery carries some risk of altering a player’s swing and approach. Defensively, Bleis is a glider in center field who has been particularly adept at coming in on fly balls, while still working on routes on balls over his head. Still, his speed creates significant upside both in the outfield—particularly given his excellent arm strength—and on the bases.
The Future: Bleis carries a significant amount of bust risk in his profile but also a ceiling unrivaled in the system. After his lost 2023 campaign, assuming a return to health, he should open 2024 back in Salem but with a chance to reach High-A Greenville by the end of the year.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 60 | Run: 60 | Fielding: 60 | Arm: 60.
Re: Down on the Farm - 2024
From BA's Yankees Top 10: https://www.baseballamerica.com/teams/2 ... =preseason
1. Jasson Dominguez
OF
Ht: 5'9" | Wt: 190 | B-T: S-R
Age: null
BA Grade/Risk:60/High.
Track Record: When he signed in 2019, Dominguez instantly became one of the most celebrated Yankees prospects in recent memory. His pro debut got pushed back a year when the pandemic canceled the 2020 minor league season. The spotlight got even brighter in summer 2021, when Dominguez was named to his first Futures Game before he had played a game outside the Florida Complex League. He returned to the Futures Game in 2022 and hit a booming home run to center field at Dodger Stadium. He finished the season in Double-A with a flourish, homering from both sides of the plate in the game that clinched the Eastern League championship for Somerset. In 2023, Dominguez returned to Somerset, where he started slowly before turning it on in the summer months, and especially after a promotion to Triple-A. He opened his big league career with a bang on Sept. 1, when he homered off Justin Verlander in his first major league at-bat. He homered three more times over the next seven games before tearing the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow and having Tommy John surgery.
Scouting Report: Dominguez’s 2023 season started slowly and strangely. From Opening Day until June 30, he hit .197/.345/.357 and had the look of a three-true-outcomes hitter. At that time, nearly half of his plate appearances ended in either a walk (56), a strikeout (85) or a home run (10). He hit the ball plenty hard all year long, with an average exit velocity of 91.4 mph and a 90th percentile EV of 105.7 mph, both above-average marks compared to his peers. His plate discipline was also excellent, with above-average in-zone and overall miss rates of 17.5% and 26.8%. Once the calendar hit July, Dominguez’s numbers started to look more in line with his tools. In 42 games until he was promoted to Triple-A, he hit .331/.399/.492. His combination of plate discipline, contact and power could make him at least an above-average hitter with potentially plus power. Dominguez split his time in the minors nearly evenly between left field and center field and got all of his defensive reps in the big leagues in center. The presence of Everson Pereira, who is a stronger defender up the middle, could push Dominguez into a corner. If that happens, his bat should easily fit the necessary profile. Scouts saw above-average run times Dominguez, and his sprint speed in his major league cameo fit the bill for a potentially plus runner once he gets underway. Tommy John surgery clouds his long-term arm strength, which scouts pegged as at least plus before the surgery. They also noted he did a good job getting himself into a strong position to throw.
The Future: Recovery from Tommy John surgery is quicker for position players, and Dominguez should be back in MLB at some point in 2024. If he reaches his ceiling, he’s a potential all-star who hits in the middle of a lineup.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 60 | Run: 60 | Fielding: 50 | Arm: 60.
1. Jasson Dominguez
OF
Ht: 5'9" | Wt: 190 | B-T: S-R
Age: null
BA Grade/Risk:60/High.
Track Record: When he signed in 2019, Dominguez instantly became one of the most celebrated Yankees prospects in recent memory. His pro debut got pushed back a year when the pandemic canceled the 2020 minor league season. The spotlight got even brighter in summer 2021, when Dominguez was named to his first Futures Game before he had played a game outside the Florida Complex League. He returned to the Futures Game in 2022 and hit a booming home run to center field at Dodger Stadium. He finished the season in Double-A with a flourish, homering from both sides of the plate in the game that clinched the Eastern League championship for Somerset. In 2023, Dominguez returned to Somerset, where he started slowly before turning it on in the summer months, and especially after a promotion to Triple-A. He opened his big league career with a bang on Sept. 1, when he homered off Justin Verlander in his first major league at-bat. He homered three more times over the next seven games before tearing the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow and having Tommy John surgery.
Scouting Report: Dominguez’s 2023 season started slowly and strangely. From Opening Day until June 30, he hit .197/.345/.357 and had the look of a three-true-outcomes hitter. At that time, nearly half of his plate appearances ended in either a walk (56), a strikeout (85) or a home run (10). He hit the ball plenty hard all year long, with an average exit velocity of 91.4 mph and a 90th percentile EV of 105.7 mph, both above-average marks compared to his peers. His plate discipline was also excellent, with above-average in-zone and overall miss rates of 17.5% and 26.8%. Once the calendar hit July, Dominguez’s numbers started to look more in line with his tools. In 42 games until he was promoted to Triple-A, he hit .331/.399/.492. His combination of plate discipline, contact and power could make him at least an above-average hitter with potentially plus power. Dominguez split his time in the minors nearly evenly between left field and center field and got all of his defensive reps in the big leagues in center. The presence of Everson Pereira, who is a stronger defender up the middle, could push Dominguez into a corner. If that happens, his bat should easily fit the necessary profile. Scouts saw above-average run times Dominguez, and his sprint speed in his major league cameo fit the bill for a potentially plus runner once he gets underway. Tommy John surgery clouds his long-term arm strength, which scouts pegged as at least plus before the surgery. They also noted he did a good job getting himself into a strong position to throw.
The Future: Recovery from Tommy John surgery is quicker for position players, and Dominguez should be back in MLB at some point in 2024. If he reaches his ceiling, he’s a potential all-star who hits in the middle of a lineup.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 60 | Run: 60 | Fielding: 50 | Arm: 60.
Re: Down on the Farm - 2024
From BA's Rays Top 10: https://www.baseballamerica.com/teams/2 ... =preseason
7. Osleivis Basabe
SS
Ht: 5'11" | Wt: 188 | B-T: R-R
Age: null
BA Grade/Risk:45/Medium.
Track Record: The Rays don’t win every trade in which they flip a major leaguer for a package of minor leaguers, and the December 2020 trade that sent Nathaniel Lowe to the Rangers for Basabe, Heriberto Hernandez and Alexander Ovalles is one Tampa Bay might want back. But Basabe has given the Rays some usefulness. He made his MLB debut in August 2023, becoming the Rays’ everyday shortstop when Taylor Walls was on the injured list and Wander Franco was placed on the restricted list.
Scouting Report: In an organization that has been filled with middle infield prospects, Basabe has climbed the ladder and pushed other prospects to the side because of his steady, reliable production. The Rays have traded away Xavier Edwards, Vidal Brujan and Tristan Gray, clearing a path for Basabe. While he struggled in his first MLB action, Basabe has shown he can be an above-average hitter but with limited power. He’s an aggressive hitter who feasts on pitches up in the zone and has above-average contact skills, but he’s a line-drive hitter who doesn’t hit many home runs. The Rays have bounced Basabe all around the infield. He’s a reliable, average defender at shortstop and third base with an average, accurate arm. He’s above-average at second base, but his ability to make the routine play at any infield position led to his callup. He’s a plus runner, but he’s not a particularly aggressive basestealer.
The Future: Ideally, Basabe is a part-time player or utility infielder who can provide reliable defense at three positions. With Walls recovering from hip surgery and Franco facing legal issues, Basabe could end up as Tampa Bay’s Opening Day shortstop in 2024.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 30 | Run: 60 | Fielding: 50 | Arm: 50.
7. Osleivis Basabe
SS
Ht: 5'11" | Wt: 188 | B-T: R-R
Age: null
BA Grade/Risk:45/Medium.
Track Record: The Rays don’t win every trade in which they flip a major leaguer for a package of minor leaguers, and the December 2020 trade that sent Nathaniel Lowe to the Rangers for Basabe, Heriberto Hernandez and Alexander Ovalles is one Tampa Bay might want back. But Basabe has given the Rays some usefulness. He made his MLB debut in August 2023, becoming the Rays’ everyday shortstop when Taylor Walls was on the injured list and Wander Franco was placed on the restricted list.
Scouting Report: In an organization that has been filled with middle infield prospects, Basabe has climbed the ladder and pushed other prospects to the side because of his steady, reliable production. The Rays have traded away Xavier Edwards, Vidal Brujan and Tristan Gray, clearing a path for Basabe. While he struggled in his first MLB action, Basabe has shown he can be an above-average hitter but with limited power. He’s an aggressive hitter who feasts on pitches up in the zone and has above-average contact skills, but he’s a line-drive hitter who doesn’t hit many home runs. The Rays have bounced Basabe all around the infield. He’s a reliable, average defender at shortstop and third base with an average, accurate arm. He’s above-average at second base, but his ability to make the routine play at any infield position led to his callup. He’s a plus runner, but he’s not a particularly aggressive basestealer.
The Future: Ideally, Basabe is a part-time player or utility infielder who can provide reliable defense at three positions. With Walls recovering from hip surgery and Franco facing legal issues, Basabe could end up as Tampa Bay’s Opening Day shortstop in 2024.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 30 | Run: 60 | Fielding: 50 | Arm: 50.
Re: Down on the Farm - 2024
From BA's Blue Jays Top 10: https://www.baseballamerica.com/teams/2 ... =preseason
8. Davis Schneider
2B
Ht: 5'9" | Wt: 190 | B-T: R-R
Age: null
BA Grade/Risk:40/Medium.
Track Record: Signed in the 28th round for $50,000 in 2017, Schneider has been one of the best underdog stories in recent memory. The Blue Jays left him exposed to the Rule 5 draft after the 2021 and 2022 seasons despite above-average offensive performances in consecutive seasons. He began 2023 at Triple-A Buffalo, where he hit .275/.416/.553 with 21 home runs in 87 games. He earned a callup to Toronto on Aug. 4 and hit a home run off James Paxton in his first major league at-bat. Schneider hit .276/.404/.603 with eight home runs in 35 games. He made Toronto’s postseason roster but did not appear in a game.
Scouting Report: Undersized and somewhat positionless, Schneider is a bat-first player with an advanced plate approach. His bat-to-ball skills are fringy due to a longer swing with a steeper bat path. His advanced approach at the plate and ability to discern balls from strikes limits his exposure to pitches outside the zone. Schneider struggles with offspeed pitches and curveballs but does damage against fastballs and different slider types. He has above-average power potential despite just average exit velocities due to his excellent launch angles that allow him to get the most out of his power. He showed the ability to get to his power consistently in his brief MLB debut. Schneider is a fringe-average runner who isn’t much of a threat to steal a base. In the field, Schneider is a well below-average defender at second base with a below-average arm. He saw some time in left field, but Schneider’s best long-term position is DH.
The Future: Schneider is an above-average hitter with a three-true-outcomes profile. He can carve out a role as a bat-driven second-division regular.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 55 | Run: 45 | Fielding: 30 | Arm: 40.
8. Davis Schneider
2B
Ht: 5'9" | Wt: 190 | B-T: R-R
Age: null
BA Grade/Risk:40/Medium.
Track Record: Signed in the 28th round for $50,000 in 2017, Schneider has been one of the best underdog stories in recent memory. The Blue Jays left him exposed to the Rule 5 draft after the 2021 and 2022 seasons despite above-average offensive performances in consecutive seasons. He began 2023 at Triple-A Buffalo, where he hit .275/.416/.553 with 21 home runs in 87 games. He earned a callup to Toronto on Aug. 4 and hit a home run off James Paxton in his first major league at-bat. Schneider hit .276/.404/.603 with eight home runs in 35 games. He made Toronto’s postseason roster but did not appear in a game.
Scouting Report: Undersized and somewhat positionless, Schneider is a bat-first player with an advanced plate approach. His bat-to-ball skills are fringy due to a longer swing with a steeper bat path. His advanced approach at the plate and ability to discern balls from strikes limits his exposure to pitches outside the zone. Schneider struggles with offspeed pitches and curveballs but does damage against fastballs and different slider types. He has above-average power potential despite just average exit velocities due to his excellent launch angles that allow him to get the most out of his power. He showed the ability to get to his power consistently in his brief MLB debut. Schneider is a fringe-average runner who isn’t much of a threat to steal a base. In the field, Schneider is a well below-average defender at second base with a below-average arm. He saw some time in left field, but Schneider’s best long-term position is DH.
The Future: Schneider is an above-average hitter with a three-true-outcomes profile. He can carve out a role as a bat-driven second-division regular.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 55 | Run: 45 | Fielding: 30 | Arm: 40.
Re: Down on the Farm - 2024
From BA's Guardians Top 10: https://www.baseballamerica.com/teams/2 ... =preseason
5. Juan Brito
2B
Ht: 5'11" | Wt: 162 | B-T: S-R
Age: null
BA Grade/Risk: 55/High.
Track Record: Brito was an unheralded signing out of the Dominican Republic by the Rockies in 2018. He’s come on strong since, and the Guardians in November 2022 acquired him for Nolan Jones and immediately added him to the 40-man roster. Brito rewarded his new organization in 2023, as he shot through three levels of the minor leagues to reach Triple-A Columbus in September, just a few days before turning 22.
Scouting Report: Brito fits in well with Cleveland’s cadre of young middle infielders. He is a disciplined, patient hitter with good bat-to-ball skills. He has walked about as much as he’s struck out over his professional career and has a low chase rate. While he has a contact-oriented approach, the switch-hitter has average power potential. Brito’s swing has natural lift, and as he gets stronger he could grow into even more pop. He’s already showing it in games. His 31 doubles and 46 extra-base hits in 2023 ranked second and third among Cleveland’s minor leaguers, and his .817 OPS ranked third among qualified Eastern League hitters. Brito is an average runner and is aggressive on the bases. He has primarily played second base as a professional and his average athleticism makes him a solid defender at the position. He saw time at both shortstop and third base in 2023 as well, and the Guardians believe his arm strength and range play on the left side of the infield. Still, he projects as a second baseman in the long run.
The Future: Brito will return to Columbus to open 2024 and could make his MLB debut later in the season. From there, things are less clear. The Cleveland infield is crowded. Third baseman Jose Ramirez and second baseman Andres Gimenez have long-term deals. Brito is among the best of the Guardians’ infielders pushing through the upper minors and gives the organization another high-upside player.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 50 | Fielding: 55 | Arm: 50
5. Juan Brito
2B
Ht: 5'11" | Wt: 162 | B-T: S-R
Age: null
BA Grade/Risk: 55/High.
Track Record: Brito was an unheralded signing out of the Dominican Republic by the Rockies in 2018. He’s come on strong since, and the Guardians in November 2022 acquired him for Nolan Jones and immediately added him to the 40-man roster. Brito rewarded his new organization in 2023, as he shot through three levels of the minor leagues to reach Triple-A Columbus in September, just a few days before turning 22.
Scouting Report: Brito fits in well with Cleveland’s cadre of young middle infielders. He is a disciplined, patient hitter with good bat-to-ball skills. He has walked about as much as he’s struck out over his professional career and has a low chase rate. While he has a contact-oriented approach, the switch-hitter has average power potential. Brito’s swing has natural lift, and as he gets stronger he could grow into even more pop. He’s already showing it in games. His 31 doubles and 46 extra-base hits in 2023 ranked second and third among Cleveland’s minor leaguers, and his .817 OPS ranked third among qualified Eastern League hitters. Brito is an average runner and is aggressive on the bases. He has primarily played second base as a professional and his average athleticism makes him a solid defender at the position. He saw time at both shortstop and third base in 2023 as well, and the Guardians believe his arm strength and range play on the left side of the infield. Still, he projects as a second baseman in the long run.
The Future: Brito will return to Columbus to open 2024 and could make his MLB debut later in the season. From there, things are less clear. The Cleveland infield is crowded. Third baseman Jose Ramirez and second baseman Andres Gimenez have long-term deals. Brito is among the best of the Guardians’ infielders pushing through the upper minors and gives the organization another high-upside player.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 50 | Fielding: 55 | Arm: 50
Re: Down on the Farm - 2024
From BP's Astros Top Prospects: https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news ... prospects/
10. Kenedy Corona
Pos: OF
Born: 2000-03-21
B: Right
T: Right
H: 5′ 10″
W: 184 lbs.
History: Signed April 2019 by the New York Mets out of Venezuela. Acquired from the Mets for Jake Marisnick.
Previous Rank: #10 (org)
Major League ETA: Late 2024
The Report: Much like last year’s Dodgers list was marked by pitching prospects that were ever diminishing versions of Bobby Miller, this year’s Astros list is ever diminishing versions of Zach Dezenzo. Corona has a little too much swing-and-miss, and not quite enough of the high end pop to really profile as a regular with the bat, but does add in a useful speed and defense profile to the mix. At the plate Corona tries to lift balls at the bottom of the zone down the left field line, but it’s not a twitchy, high-octane swing, and there is some length to the whole process. With the caveat that the Crawford Boxes are a very inviting place to aim for as a right-handed pull hitter, one worries that Corona won’t have quite enough juice in his bat to get it into the bleachers consistently, and too often will get beat in the zone by better velocity in the process. If the Eduardo Escobar “just enough” homers do keep falling, you’ll end up with something like average game pop from a pretty good outfielder at all three spots. Corona doesn’t really have the straight-line speed to be a glove-first centerfielder, but he’s platoon-leverageable, and fine enough in center—likely plus in a corner—that he’s a valuable bench piece if the offense can get within a shout of average.
OFP: 50 / Good fourth outfielder or second-division starter
Variance: Medium. I’d be a little worried about the hit tool collapsing when he’s seeing better fastballs day in and day out, and he only hit .240 in Double-A as it was. —Jeffrey Paternostro
10. Kenedy Corona
Pos: OF
Born: 2000-03-21
B: Right
T: Right
H: 5′ 10″
W: 184 lbs.
History: Signed April 2019 by the New York Mets out of Venezuela. Acquired from the Mets for Jake Marisnick.
Previous Rank: #10 (org)
Major League ETA: Late 2024
The Report: Much like last year’s Dodgers list was marked by pitching prospects that were ever diminishing versions of Bobby Miller, this year’s Astros list is ever diminishing versions of Zach Dezenzo. Corona has a little too much swing-and-miss, and not quite enough of the high end pop to really profile as a regular with the bat, but does add in a useful speed and defense profile to the mix. At the plate Corona tries to lift balls at the bottom of the zone down the left field line, but it’s not a twitchy, high-octane swing, and there is some length to the whole process. With the caveat that the Crawford Boxes are a very inviting place to aim for as a right-handed pull hitter, one worries that Corona won’t have quite enough juice in his bat to get it into the bleachers consistently, and too often will get beat in the zone by better velocity in the process. If the Eduardo Escobar “just enough” homers do keep falling, you’ll end up with something like average game pop from a pretty good outfielder at all three spots. Corona doesn’t really have the straight-line speed to be a glove-first centerfielder, but he’s platoon-leverageable, and fine enough in center—likely plus in a corner—that he’s a valuable bench piece if the offense can get within a shout of average.
OFP: 50 / Good fourth outfielder or second-division starter
Variance: Medium. I’d be a little worried about the hit tool collapsing when he’s seeing better fastballs day in and day out, and he only hit .240 in Double-A as it was. —Jeffrey Paternostro
Re: Down on the Farm - 2024
From BP's Red Sox Top Prospects: https://www.baseballprospectus.com/pros ... prospects/
5.Miguel Bleis
Pos: RF
Born: 2004-03-01
B: Right
T: Right
H: 6′ 0″
W: 170 lbs.
History: Signed January 2021 out of the Dominican Republic for $1.5 million.
Previous Rank: #3 (org), #67 (Top 101)
Major League ETA: 2026/2027
The Report: The lead line on Bleis’ 2023 season is “he had season-ending shoulder surgery in June,” but the Top 101 outfielder had a rocky transition to full-season ball even before that. Certainly some of that can be attributed to a balky shoulder, and again, Salem is a terrible place to hit, but Bleis was out on the front foot and chasing an awful lot in the Carolina League. When he sees something in the zone, he’s an easy scout. There’s a few moving parts in Bleis’ swing, but he creates good torque and whip, and everything is loose and he manipulates the barrel well. He can draw his hands, or take an outside pitch hard the other way. He has a very projectable frame and there’s already above-average bat speed with some lift. Bleis can sting pitches in the air, both to the pull side and opposite field, but he’s not quite physical enough nor is the approach good enough to consistently do damage yet. The lost 2023 reps hurt here, as he really just needs to get stronger and get more looks at full-season offspeed. The fundamentals of Bleis’ offensive game are quite good and he should stick in center field long term. Perhaps we were a year early on pushing him onto a national list, but his struggles and injury in 2023 shouldn’t be a call for overcorrection the other way
OFP: 55 / Above-average center fielder
Variance: Very High. The lead line on Bleis’ 2023 season is “he had season-ending shoulder surgery in June,” so 2024 will be an important year for re-establishing himself as a top prospect.
5.Miguel Bleis
Pos: RF
Born: 2004-03-01
B: Right
T: Right
H: 6′ 0″
W: 170 lbs.
History: Signed January 2021 out of the Dominican Republic for $1.5 million.
Previous Rank: #3 (org), #67 (Top 101)
Major League ETA: 2026/2027
The Report: The lead line on Bleis’ 2023 season is “he had season-ending shoulder surgery in June,” but the Top 101 outfielder had a rocky transition to full-season ball even before that. Certainly some of that can be attributed to a balky shoulder, and again, Salem is a terrible place to hit, but Bleis was out on the front foot and chasing an awful lot in the Carolina League. When he sees something in the zone, he’s an easy scout. There’s a few moving parts in Bleis’ swing, but he creates good torque and whip, and everything is loose and he manipulates the barrel well. He can draw his hands, or take an outside pitch hard the other way. He has a very projectable frame and there’s already above-average bat speed with some lift. Bleis can sting pitches in the air, both to the pull side and opposite field, but he’s not quite physical enough nor is the approach good enough to consistently do damage yet. The lost 2023 reps hurt here, as he really just needs to get stronger and get more looks at full-season offspeed. The fundamentals of Bleis’ offensive game are quite good and he should stick in center field long term. Perhaps we were a year early on pushing him onto a national list, but his struggles and injury in 2023 shouldn’t be a call for overcorrection the other way
OFP: 55 / Above-average center fielder
Variance: Very High. The lead line on Bleis’ 2023 season is “he had season-ending shoulder surgery in June,” so 2024 will be an important year for re-establishing himself as a top prospect.
Re: Down on the Farm - 2024
From BP's Guardians Top Prospects: https://www.baseballprospectus.com/pros ... prospects/
3.Juan Brito
Pos: 2B
Born: 2001-09-24
B: Switch
T: Right
H: 5′ 11″
W: 202 lbs.
History: Signed July 2018 by the Colorado Rockies out of the Dominican Republic for $60,000. Acquired from the Rockies for Nolan Jones.
Previous Rank: #13 (org, COL)
Major League ETA: 2024
The Report: What seemed like a fairly minor offseason deal may have turned into a major win-win for both Colorado and Cleveland. Nolan Jones was one of the better hitters on the 2023 Rockies—and his power over everything else approach should make hay in Coors—but on the Guardians side, Juan Brito has quietly moved up the organizational ladder and into Top 101 discussion. Brito doesn’t have anything approaching Jones’ power on offer, but he also lacks any real weakness in his game, and his advanced hitting skills smoothly made the transition to Double-A last season. The switch-hitting infielder is a bit more comfortable from the left side of the plate, and will sting the baseball a bit more as a southpaw. He’s aggressive overall, and did start to chase a bit more in Double-A than lower levels, but that shows up more in suboptimal contact as his bat-to-ball skills are just that good. Brito will reach for the pitch up and away and can be vulnerable inside occasionally, with the trade off being that he’s a downright annoying hitter with two strikes.
Overall, Brito hits the ball hard enough, with a good enough vertical spray that at least average power is in play here, and the hit tool might end up plus given a bit more tempered enthusiasm for pitches in the shadow zone or even outside of it. Brito is a plus runner and a perfectly fine second baseman. He’s good on the turn and can complete the double play throw with some zing, but that’s about the limit of his arm strength. The skill set here is kind of bland, but it’s also one that looks like a regular in the bigs. Perhaps Brito is just the Nick Yorke that was promised.
OFP: 55 / Above-average second baseman
Variance: Medium. There’s really no red flags here in Brito’s profile, but this kind of batted ball profile paired with this aggressive an approach can lead to hit tool underperformance against better defenses and/or stuff. And there isn’t much else to carry the day if he doesn’t at least hit .270.
3.Juan Brito
Pos: 2B
Born: 2001-09-24
B: Switch
T: Right
H: 5′ 11″
W: 202 lbs.
History: Signed July 2018 by the Colorado Rockies out of the Dominican Republic for $60,000. Acquired from the Rockies for Nolan Jones.
Previous Rank: #13 (org, COL)
Major League ETA: 2024
The Report: What seemed like a fairly minor offseason deal may have turned into a major win-win for both Colorado and Cleveland. Nolan Jones was one of the better hitters on the 2023 Rockies—and his power over everything else approach should make hay in Coors—but on the Guardians side, Juan Brito has quietly moved up the organizational ladder and into Top 101 discussion. Brito doesn’t have anything approaching Jones’ power on offer, but he also lacks any real weakness in his game, and his advanced hitting skills smoothly made the transition to Double-A last season. The switch-hitting infielder is a bit more comfortable from the left side of the plate, and will sting the baseball a bit more as a southpaw. He’s aggressive overall, and did start to chase a bit more in Double-A than lower levels, but that shows up more in suboptimal contact as his bat-to-ball skills are just that good. Brito will reach for the pitch up and away and can be vulnerable inside occasionally, with the trade off being that he’s a downright annoying hitter with two strikes.
Overall, Brito hits the ball hard enough, with a good enough vertical spray that at least average power is in play here, and the hit tool might end up plus given a bit more tempered enthusiasm for pitches in the shadow zone or even outside of it. Brito is a plus runner and a perfectly fine second baseman. He’s good on the turn and can complete the double play throw with some zing, but that’s about the limit of his arm strength. The skill set here is kind of bland, but it’s also one that looks like a regular in the bigs. Perhaps Brito is just the Nick Yorke that was promised.
OFP: 55 / Above-average second baseman
Variance: Medium. There’s really no red flags here in Brito’s profile, but this kind of batted ball profile paired with this aggressive an approach can lead to hit tool underperformance against better defenses and/or stuff. And there isn’t much else to carry the day if he doesn’t at least hit .270.
Re: Down on the Farm - 2024
From BP's Braves Top Propects: https://www.baseballprospectus.com/pros ... prospects/
14. Cole Phillips, RHP (Did Not Pitch)
Phillips has arguably the best arm speed in the entire organization, which, given who we’ve already discussed, is saying something. His fastball is a devilish 95-97 mph beamer topping out at 99 with the requisite traits to thrive in the upper-third of the zone. But that’s about all we have right now, as Phillips was viewed as a moldable ball of clay who needed refinement of his promising-but-extremely-raw slider and change. The slider was eye-popping, as there were some gyros he threw that had mean, two-plane breaking action in the mid-80s. He also airmailed a couple of sliders, which encapsulates how raw he is. Further complicating matters, however, is that he’s yet to log any professional innings due to his ongoing recovery from Tommy John surgery. I would’ve been higher on a prospect like Phillips in years past, but given how raw he is and how he immediately injured his arm after experiencing a velocity spike in high school, I’m tapping the brakes just a bit.
14. Cole Phillips, RHP (Did Not Pitch)
Phillips has arguably the best arm speed in the entire organization, which, given who we’ve already discussed, is saying something. His fastball is a devilish 95-97 mph beamer topping out at 99 with the requisite traits to thrive in the upper-third of the zone. But that’s about all we have right now, as Phillips was viewed as a moldable ball of clay who needed refinement of his promising-but-extremely-raw slider and change. The slider was eye-popping, as there were some gyros he threw that had mean, two-plane breaking action in the mid-80s. He also airmailed a couple of sliders, which encapsulates how raw he is. Further complicating matters, however, is that he’s yet to log any professional innings due to his ongoing recovery from Tommy John surgery. I would’ve been higher on a prospect like Phillips in years past, but given how raw he is and how he immediately injured his arm after experiencing a velocity spike in high school, I’m tapping the brakes just a bit.
Re: Down on the Farm - 2024
From BP's Cubs Top Prospects: https://www.baseballprospectus.com/pros ... prospects/
4.Owen Caissie
Pos: RF
Born: 2002-07-08
B: Left
T: Right
H: 6′ 3″
W: 190 lbs.
History: Drafted in the second round by the San Diego Padres in the 2020 draft, Notre Dame HS (Burlington, ON); signed for $1,200,004. Acquired from the Padres for Yu Darvish.
Previous Rank: #2 (org), #80 (Top 101)
Major League ETA: 2024
The Report: Sending Caissie to the tacked-ball Southern League to begin 2023 was an aggressive assignment by the Cubs, but the then-20-year-old responded well. There were some bumps in the road, and Caissie looked overmatched early with a strikeout rate that spiked to over 40% near the end of April. However, mechanical and approach adjustments were made and the swing-and-miss gradually began to come back into a more acceptable range by the end of the season. Caissie has produced elite exit velocities since being drafted in the second round as a Canadian prep in 2020, but the improved contact ability helped that double-plus pop play in games more often this season. His 22 home runs and .519 slugging in 120 Double-A games were both career highs. Defensively, he’s a sneaky good defender in right field. Caissie moves well for a big man, taking efficient routes to the ball and has a more than capable throwing arm. The 2023 Cubs could have used some more thunder, someone to be a consistent run producer in the middle of the lineup. While he’s likely to begin the season in Triple-A, Caissie will be waiting in the wings to bring some pop to Wrigley should that need arise again.
OFP: 60 / First-division slugging corner outfielder
Variance: Medium. Success for Caissie is dependent on him doing damage on contact at the big-league level, but there’s still the possibility that he gives back some of the contact gains when he faces higher-level pitching. —Nathan Graham
18. BJ Murray Jr., 3B/1B (Double-A Tennessee)
Another 15th-round selection, this time in 2021, Murray has always shown a knack for contact and the ability to command the zone going back to his days at Florida Atlantic. It was this season, however, that he began to get the ball in the air more and take advantage of his plus raw pop. His 16 home runs were a career high and helped earn him a spot on the National League Future’s Team. Defensively, his actions are a bit stiff in the field. Murray’s arm strength is perfectly fine for the left side of the diamond but his long-term home is likely at first base. It takes a special bat to play a big-league corner role and Murray is not there yet. If his ability to do damage from both sides of the plate continues to develop, Murray might just be able to carve out a role in Wrigley. —Nathan Graham
4.Owen Caissie
Pos: RF
Born: 2002-07-08
B: Left
T: Right
H: 6′ 3″
W: 190 lbs.
History: Drafted in the second round by the San Diego Padres in the 2020 draft, Notre Dame HS (Burlington, ON); signed for $1,200,004. Acquired from the Padres for Yu Darvish.
Previous Rank: #2 (org), #80 (Top 101)
Major League ETA: 2024
The Report: Sending Caissie to the tacked-ball Southern League to begin 2023 was an aggressive assignment by the Cubs, but the then-20-year-old responded well. There were some bumps in the road, and Caissie looked overmatched early with a strikeout rate that spiked to over 40% near the end of April. However, mechanical and approach adjustments were made and the swing-and-miss gradually began to come back into a more acceptable range by the end of the season. Caissie has produced elite exit velocities since being drafted in the second round as a Canadian prep in 2020, but the improved contact ability helped that double-plus pop play in games more often this season. His 22 home runs and .519 slugging in 120 Double-A games were both career highs. Defensively, he’s a sneaky good defender in right field. Caissie moves well for a big man, taking efficient routes to the ball and has a more than capable throwing arm. The 2023 Cubs could have used some more thunder, someone to be a consistent run producer in the middle of the lineup. While he’s likely to begin the season in Triple-A, Caissie will be waiting in the wings to bring some pop to Wrigley should that need arise again.
OFP: 60 / First-division slugging corner outfielder
Variance: Medium. Success for Caissie is dependent on him doing damage on contact at the big-league level, but there’s still the possibility that he gives back some of the contact gains when he faces higher-level pitching. —Nathan Graham
18. BJ Murray Jr., 3B/1B (Double-A Tennessee)
Another 15th-round selection, this time in 2021, Murray has always shown a knack for contact and the ability to command the zone going back to his days at Florida Atlantic. It was this season, however, that he began to get the ball in the air more and take advantage of his plus raw pop. His 16 home runs were a career high and helped earn him a spot on the National League Future’s Team. Defensively, his actions are a bit stiff in the field. Murray’s arm strength is perfectly fine for the left side of the diamond but his long-term home is likely at first base. It takes a special bat to play a big-league corner role and Murray is not there yet. If his ability to do damage from both sides of the plate continues to develop, Murray might just be able to carve out a role in Wrigley. —Nathan Graham
Re: Down on the Farm - 2024
From BP's Top Dodgers Prospects: https://www.baseballprospectus.com/pros ... prospects/
16. Maddux Bruns, LHP (High-A Great Lakes Loons)
It’s not entirely clear whether Bruns could hit the broad side of a barn consistently with his fastball or not, but it is clear that the front-line caliber stuff he was drafted to grow into has shown up big time. Bruns has an athletic starter’s frame and gets down the mound extraordinarily well, with a tightened-up left handed arm action that just gets squirrely on release. He’s made some good adjustments as a pro so far, with three plus pitches to dream on. The fastball has riding life into the upper 90s, and both breakers differentiate effectively off each other. To be fair, when the horizontal offering is coming in at 92, it’s pretty easy to differentiate Bruns’ plus hammer curveball. Still only 21, the big southpaw is only a grade of command away from profiling remarkably similarly to the reigning NL CY, so that upside is accounted for here. All that said, Bruns is as athletic as he will ever be, has already shortened up his motion, simplified his pitch mix, and focused on his strike-throwing. He still didn’t zone any of his offerings to a tolerable threshold for a starting pitcher. —Ben Zeidman
16. Maddux Bruns, LHP (High-A Great Lakes Loons)
It’s not entirely clear whether Bruns could hit the broad side of a barn consistently with his fastball or not, but it is clear that the front-line caliber stuff he was drafted to grow into has shown up big time. Bruns has an athletic starter’s frame and gets down the mound extraordinarily well, with a tightened-up left handed arm action that just gets squirrely on release. He’s made some good adjustments as a pro so far, with three plus pitches to dream on. The fastball has riding life into the upper 90s, and both breakers differentiate effectively off each other. To be fair, when the horizontal offering is coming in at 92, it’s pretty easy to differentiate Bruns’ plus hammer curveball. Still only 21, the big southpaw is only a grade of command away from profiling remarkably similarly to the reigning NL CY, so that upside is accounted for here. All that said, Bruns is as athletic as he will ever be, has already shortened up his motion, simplified his pitch mix, and focused on his strike-throwing. He still didn’t zone any of his offerings to a tolerable threshold for a starting pitcher. —Ben Zeidman
Re: Down on the Farm - 2024
From BP's Marlins Top Prospects: https://www.baseballprospectus.com/pros ... prospects/
10.Jacob Amaya
Pos: SS
Born: 1998-09-03
B: Right
T: Right
H: 6′ 0″
W: 180 lbs.
History: Drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 11th round of the 2017 draft, South Hills HS (West Covina, CA, in my soul, I feel a fire, ’cause I’m headed for the pride of the Inland Empire); signed for $247,500. Acquired from the Dodgers for Miguel Rojas.
Previous Rank: #8 (org)
Major League ETA: Debuted in 2023
The Report: While the offensive environment in the 2023 International League most closely resembled the “Launch-a-Ball” contests that often follow Friday night games, Amaya just kept on doing his fringy offensive thing. Fringe hit (although he makes a decent amount of contact and has a patient, if slightly passive, approach, he does not impact the ball enough for an average hit tool projection), fringe power (refer to previous parenthetical), adequate shortstop defense with some experience at second and third as well. That’s been the report on Amaya going back to his low-minors days with the Dodgers. You hoped for a bit more offensive growth, fair enough, but given 150 games as a major-league shortstop—which the Fish might have available this coming season—Amaya should be within a shout of average. More likely, he’s a suitable bench infielder which—despite their recent obsessions with building whole rosters out of middle infielders—Miami also has an opening for.
OFP: 45 / Fringe shortstop or fifth infielder
Variance: Low. We pretty much know what Amaya is now, and the Marlins might even be a hair too good to give him enough playing time to prove us wrong.
10.Jacob Amaya
Pos: SS
Born: 1998-09-03
B: Right
T: Right
H: 6′ 0″
W: 180 lbs.
History: Drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 11th round of the 2017 draft, South Hills HS (West Covina, CA, in my soul, I feel a fire, ’cause I’m headed for the pride of the Inland Empire); signed for $247,500. Acquired from the Dodgers for Miguel Rojas.
Previous Rank: #8 (org)
Major League ETA: Debuted in 2023
The Report: While the offensive environment in the 2023 International League most closely resembled the “Launch-a-Ball” contests that often follow Friday night games, Amaya just kept on doing his fringy offensive thing. Fringe hit (although he makes a decent amount of contact and has a patient, if slightly passive, approach, he does not impact the ball enough for an average hit tool projection), fringe power (refer to previous parenthetical), adequate shortstop defense with some experience at second and third as well. That’s been the report on Amaya going back to his low-minors days with the Dodgers. You hoped for a bit more offensive growth, fair enough, but given 150 games as a major-league shortstop—which the Fish might have available this coming season—Amaya should be within a shout of average. More likely, he’s a suitable bench infielder which—despite their recent obsessions with building whole rosters out of middle infielders—Miami also has an opening for.
OFP: 45 / Fringe shortstop or fifth infielder
Variance: Low. We pretty much know what Amaya is now, and the Marlins might even be a hair too good to give him enough playing time to prove us wrong.
Re: Down on the Farm - 2024
From BA's Mariners Top 10: https://www.baseballamerica.com/teams/2 ... =preseason
6. Tyler Locklear
1B
Ht: 6'1" | Wt: 210 | B-T: R-R
Age: null
BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
Track Record: A star tight end in high school, Locklear blossomed into one of college baseball’s top power hitters at Virginia Commonwealth and set a school record with 20 home runs his junior season. The Mariners drafted him in the second round in 2022 and signed him for $1,276,500. Locklear played his first full season in 2023 and missed two months after he was hit by a pitch that broke a bone in his right hand, but he starred when he was on the field. He hit .288/.405/.502 with 13 home runs and 52 RBIs in 85 games and advanced from High-A Everett to Double-A Arkansas even with his injury. His .907 OPS led all Mariners prospects with at least 325 plate appearances.
Scouting Report: Locklear is a chiseled, physical righthanded hitter with borderline plus-plus power. He is one of the strongest players in the Mariners organization, with muscular legs and huge forearms, and punishes balls on contact. Locklear has an unconventional setup with a bat waggle over the plate, but he’s a patient hitter who works long at-bats and turns around fastballs at any velocity. He hits towering home runs to all fields and gets to his power with little effort. Locklear can be a bit stiff and struggles to hit righthanded breaking balls, but he knows the strike zone and makes enough contact to be a fringy hitter who accesses his power in games. A third baseman when he was drafted, Lockear moved to first base full time in 2023. He’s a below-average runner but moves well for his size and has the potential to be an average defender at first base. He has average arm strength.
The Future: Locklear projects to be an everyday first baseman and middle-of-the-order slugger. He’ll begin 2024 back at Double-A.
6. Tyler Locklear
1B
Ht: 6'1" | Wt: 210 | B-T: R-R
Age: null
BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
Track Record: A star tight end in high school, Locklear blossomed into one of college baseball’s top power hitters at Virginia Commonwealth and set a school record with 20 home runs his junior season. The Mariners drafted him in the second round in 2022 and signed him for $1,276,500. Locklear played his first full season in 2023 and missed two months after he was hit by a pitch that broke a bone in his right hand, but he starred when he was on the field. He hit .288/.405/.502 with 13 home runs and 52 RBIs in 85 games and advanced from High-A Everett to Double-A Arkansas even with his injury. His .907 OPS led all Mariners prospects with at least 325 plate appearances.
Scouting Report: Locklear is a chiseled, physical righthanded hitter with borderline plus-plus power. He is one of the strongest players in the Mariners organization, with muscular legs and huge forearms, and punishes balls on contact. Locklear has an unconventional setup with a bat waggle over the plate, but he’s a patient hitter who works long at-bats and turns around fastballs at any velocity. He hits towering home runs to all fields and gets to his power with little effort. Locklear can be a bit stiff and struggles to hit righthanded breaking balls, but he knows the strike zone and makes enough contact to be a fringy hitter who accesses his power in games. A third baseman when he was drafted, Lockear moved to first base full time in 2023. He’s a below-average runner but moves well for his size and has the potential to be an average defender at first base. He has average arm strength.
The Future: Locklear projects to be an everyday first baseman and middle-of-the-order slugger. He’ll begin 2024 back at Double-A.
Re: Down on the Farm - 2024
From BP's Brewers Top Prospects: https://www.baseballprospectus.com/pros ... prospects/
2.Jeferson Quero
Pos: C
Born: 2002-10-08
B: Right
T: Right
H: 5′ 11″
W: 215 lbs.
History: Signed July 2nd, 2019 out of Venezuela.
Previous Rank: #7 (org)
Major League ETA: 2025
The Report: It’s not the most typical path for a young catching prospect, because catchers are weird, but Quero just continues to improve at everything year-over-year. Last year he was an improving defender with an above-average projection on the glove. This year, that looks light. Quero was one of the best receivers in Double-A, and that checks out visually, where he set a big, quiet target, and just guides pitches back into the zone. He might even be better at the throw part of the catch and throw. While generally players run wild in the minors, Quero threw out more than a third of would-be base stealers, and that jibes with what you see back there as well. He’s smooth and quick on the transfer with consistent plus-or-better times on the Accusplit. The defensive projection is at least plus now and certainly trending in the right direction to get to plus-plus.
At the plate, Quero added some real game pop to the mix this year. He’s a good high-ball hitter, and can pull his hands in to rip the inner-half fastball, but everything lacks a bit of twitch despite above-average bat speed. He’s aggressive and pull-happy, but that is where most of his power is going to come from. And given that he likes to extend, and the swing has some length to it, he can be vulnerable to spin down and away or make choppy contact outside of his nitro zone. Overall the hit tool remains below-average, but what Quero does hit, he now hits quite hard.
OFP: 60 / First-division catcher
Variance: Medium. You always are waiting for the other shoe to drop with this kind of catching prospect, but while the offensive tools aren’t amazing, Quero is a good enough defender now that even an average batting line should make him comfortably one of the top 10 or so backstops in baseball. —Jeffrey Paternostro
3.Tyler Black
Pos: 3B
Born: 2000-07-26
B: Left
T: Right
H: 5′ 10″
W: 204 lbs.
History: Drafted 33rd overall in the 2021 draft, Wright State University, signed for $2.2 million.
Previous Rank: #6 (org)
Major League ETA: 2024
The Report: Black has vaguely been in Top 101 consideration for most of his pro career. The biggest barriers from making the jump from the long list to the short(er) list have been lack of power and an unclear defensive home. The power is still nothing to write home about, but looks playably below-average now, and Black has settled in as a passable if not particularly sure-handed third baseman. It’s for sure an unusual mix of skills, but it’s all tied together by superior bat-to-ball ability and plus swing decisions. Black has an unusual swing to match, featuring a huge leg kick and a handsy load, but he gets the barrel there right on time. He’s a line-drive hitter, and what juice there is in the stick is more likely to generate doubles than home runs, but Black has the makings of a plus hit tool coupled with high OBP, and plus-plus speed once he’s on the bases. The whole package can look a bit like early career Daniel Murphy at times—a bit too slashy when he gets pitches he can drive, and Black doesn’t always cover high fastballs, which will be something to keep an eye on in the majors, as the contact rate and swing decisions have been just plus, not elite.
Defensively, Black is a rangy third baseman, especially quick to his left, but his hands and arm can be a bit lacking. Milwaukee obviously has a very crowded outfield situation, but Black has played there a bit in the minors—as well as second—and you might want to move him around to protect his glove a bit based on that day’s starting pitcher. He should hit enough you live with playably fringe defense wherever.
OFP: 55 / Above-average third baseman
Variance: Medium. Black has an unusual profile for a Top 101 prospect, but he also doesn’t. Ultimately he’s a hit-tool-and-approach driven infielder that has to prove both those skills are viable against major-league pitching. They’ve certainly been viable all the way up the minor-league ladder though. —Jeffrey Paternostro
7.Robert Gasser
Pos: LHP
Born: 1999-05-31
B: Left
T: Left
H: 6′ 0″
W: 192 lbs.
History: Drafted by the San Diego Padres in the second round of the 2021 draft, University of Houston; signed for $884,200. Acquired from the Padres for Josh Hader.
Previous Rank: #11 (org)
Major League ETA: 2024
The Report: Already in the upper minors when the Brewers acquired him at the 2022 trade deadline, the fast-moving lefty is now on the doorstep of the majors. Gasser works primarily off three different fastball looks from a low arm slot, leaning more heavily on a 90ish-mph cutter—especially against righties—in 2023. The cutter stands in for a sparingly used, and not particularly effective changeup, but Gasser has still struggled a bit with platoon issues. He shows good command of a plus sweeper as well, but the pitch is a far tougher look for his fellow southpaws. For the more standard-issue fastballs, he throws a flat, firm four-seamer in the low-to-mid-90s with a sinker offering a different wrinkle in the same velo band. Gasser garners some deception in his short, stiff arm action, but may have platoon issues and overall swing-and-miss issues that hamper his ability to work multiple times through the lineup as a slider. The sweeper could be the great equalizer here though.
OFP: 55 / no. 3/4 starter
Variance: Low. Gasser should be a candidate for a spot in the rotation as early as Opening Day 2024, but lacks upside as a starter given his present platoon issues. —Jeffrey Paternostro
2.Jeferson Quero
Pos: C
Born: 2002-10-08
B: Right
T: Right
H: 5′ 11″
W: 215 lbs.
History: Signed July 2nd, 2019 out of Venezuela.
Previous Rank: #7 (org)
Major League ETA: 2025
The Report: It’s not the most typical path for a young catching prospect, because catchers are weird, but Quero just continues to improve at everything year-over-year. Last year he was an improving defender with an above-average projection on the glove. This year, that looks light. Quero was one of the best receivers in Double-A, and that checks out visually, where he set a big, quiet target, and just guides pitches back into the zone. He might even be better at the throw part of the catch and throw. While generally players run wild in the minors, Quero threw out more than a third of would-be base stealers, and that jibes with what you see back there as well. He’s smooth and quick on the transfer with consistent plus-or-better times on the Accusplit. The defensive projection is at least plus now and certainly trending in the right direction to get to plus-plus.
At the plate, Quero added some real game pop to the mix this year. He’s a good high-ball hitter, and can pull his hands in to rip the inner-half fastball, but everything lacks a bit of twitch despite above-average bat speed. He’s aggressive and pull-happy, but that is where most of his power is going to come from. And given that he likes to extend, and the swing has some length to it, he can be vulnerable to spin down and away or make choppy contact outside of his nitro zone. Overall the hit tool remains below-average, but what Quero does hit, he now hits quite hard.
OFP: 60 / First-division catcher
Variance: Medium. You always are waiting for the other shoe to drop with this kind of catching prospect, but while the offensive tools aren’t amazing, Quero is a good enough defender now that even an average batting line should make him comfortably one of the top 10 or so backstops in baseball. —Jeffrey Paternostro
3.Tyler Black
Pos: 3B
Born: 2000-07-26
B: Left
T: Right
H: 5′ 10″
W: 204 lbs.
History: Drafted 33rd overall in the 2021 draft, Wright State University, signed for $2.2 million.
Previous Rank: #6 (org)
Major League ETA: 2024
The Report: Black has vaguely been in Top 101 consideration for most of his pro career. The biggest barriers from making the jump from the long list to the short(er) list have been lack of power and an unclear defensive home. The power is still nothing to write home about, but looks playably below-average now, and Black has settled in as a passable if not particularly sure-handed third baseman. It’s for sure an unusual mix of skills, but it’s all tied together by superior bat-to-ball ability and plus swing decisions. Black has an unusual swing to match, featuring a huge leg kick and a handsy load, but he gets the barrel there right on time. He’s a line-drive hitter, and what juice there is in the stick is more likely to generate doubles than home runs, but Black has the makings of a plus hit tool coupled with high OBP, and plus-plus speed once he’s on the bases. The whole package can look a bit like early career Daniel Murphy at times—a bit too slashy when he gets pitches he can drive, and Black doesn’t always cover high fastballs, which will be something to keep an eye on in the majors, as the contact rate and swing decisions have been just plus, not elite.
Defensively, Black is a rangy third baseman, especially quick to his left, but his hands and arm can be a bit lacking. Milwaukee obviously has a very crowded outfield situation, but Black has played there a bit in the minors—as well as second—and you might want to move him around to protect his glove a bit based on that day’s starting pitcher. He should hit enough you live with playably fringe defense wherever.
OFP: 55 / Above-average third baseman
Variance: Medium. Black has an unusual profile for a Top 101 prospect, but he also doesn’t. Ultimately he’s a hit-tool-and-approach driven infielder that has to prove both those skills are viable against major-league pitching. They’ve certainly been viable all the way up the minor-league ladder though. —Jeffrey Paternostro
7.Robert Gasser
Pos: LHP
Born: 1999-05-31
B: Left
T: Left
H: 6′ 0″
W: 192 lbs.
History: Drafted by the San Diego Padres in the second round of the 2021 draft, University of Houston; signed for $884,200. Acquired from the Padres for Josh Hader.
Previous Rank: #11 (org)
Major League ETA: 2024
The Report: Already in the upper minors when the Brewers acquired him at the 2022 trade deadline, the fast-moving lefty is now on the doorstep of the majors. Gasser works primarily off three different fastball looks from a low arm slot, leaning more heavily on a 90ish-mph cutter—especially against righties—in 2023. The cutter stands in for a sparingly used, and not particularly effective changeup, but Gasser has still struggled a bit with platoon issues. He shows good command of a plus sweeper as well, but the pitch is a far tougher look for his fellow southpaws. For the more standard-issue fastballs, he throws a flat, firm four-seamer in the low-to-mid-90s with a sinker offering a different wrinkle in the same velo band. Gasser garners some deception in his short, stiff arm action, but may have platoon issues and overall swing-and-miss issues that hamper his ability to work multiple times through the lineup as a slider. The sweeper could be the great equalizer here though.
OFP: 55 / no. 3/4 starter
Variance: Low. Gasser should be a candidate for a spot in the rotation as early as Opening Day 2024, but lacks upside as a starter given his present platoon issues. —Jeffrey Paternostro
Re: Down on the Farm - 2024
From BA's Astros Top 10: https://www.baseballamerica.com/teams/2 ... =preseason
9. Kenedy Corona
OF
Ht: 5'10" | Wt: 184 | B-T: R-R
Age: null
BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
Track Record: The Astros acquired Corona from the Mets for Jake Marisnick following the 2019 season. After an underwhelming 2021, Corona reworked his swing and broke out in 2022, hitting .278/.362/.495 across both levels of Class A. He returned to High-A Asheville to begin 2023 but needed just six games to the earn promotion to Double-A Corpus Christi. In the Texas League, Corona hit .244/.324/.449 with 20 home runs and 31 stolen bases in 111 games and earned rave reviews for his defense, winning a Rawlings minor league Gold Glove award.
Scouting Report: Corona is a talented defensive outfielder with the tools to be an average offensive contributor. He has fringe-average bat-to-ball skills with moderate swing-and-miss. He struggles against elevated fastballs and soft stuff off the plate. Much of this is due to the steepness of Corona’s bat path and the compact nature of his swing, which creates holes at the top of the zone and on the outer half of the plate. Corona has a good balance of patience and aggression, hardly, if ever, taking hittable pitches over the plate. He has average raw power, but he shows an ability to hit his hardest contact at his best launch angles, leading to over-the-fence power. Corona is likely to hit 18-20 home runs per season at peak. He’s a plus runner and an instinctual basestealer, capable of swiping 20 or more bases. His speed translates to the field where he is one of the best outfield defenders in the minor leagues. He covers ground in center field, taking strong routes with the ability to make highlight-reel plays. Corona’s arm is average but enough for all three outfield positions.
The Future: Corona has the defensive abilities in center field to earn everyday playing time, but his swing-and-miss will likely limit him to a part-time role.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 50 | Run: 60 | Field: 70 | Arm: 50.
9. Kenedy Corona
OF
Ht: 5'10" | Wt: 184 | B-T: R-R
Age: null
BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
Track Record: The Astros acquired Corona from the Mets for Jake Marisnick following the 2019 season. After an underwhelming 2021, Corona reworked his swing and broke out in 2022, hitting .278/.362/.495 across both levels of Class A. He returned to High-A Asheville to begin 2023 but needed just six games to the earn promotion to Double-A Corpus Christi. In the Texas League, Corona hit .244/.324/.449 with 20 home runs and 31 stolen bases in 111 games and earned rave reviews for his defense, winning a Rawlings minor league Gold Glove award.
Scouting Report: Corona is a talented defensive outfielder with the tools to be an average offensive contributor. He has fringe-average bat-to-ball skills with moderate swing-and-miss. He struggles against elevated fastballs and soft stuff off the plate. Much of this is due to the steepness of Corona’s bat path and the compact nature of his swing, which creates holes at the top of the zone and on the outer half of the plate. Corona has a good balance of patience and aggression, hardly, if ever, taking hittable pitches over the plate. He has average raw power, but he shows an ability to hit his hardest contact at his best launch angles, leading to over-the-fence power. Corona is likely to hit 18-20 home runs per season at peak. He’s a plus runner and an instinctual basestealer, capable of swiping 20 or more bases. His speed translates to the field where he is one of the best outfield defenders in the minor leagues. He covers ground in center field, taking strong routes with the ability to make highlight-reel plays. Corona’s arm is average but enough for all three outfield positions.
The Future: Corona has the defensive abilities in center field to earn everyday playing time, but his swing-and-miss will likely limit him to a part-time role.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 50 | Run: 60 | Field: 70 | Arm: 50.
Re: Down on the Farm - 2024
From MLB Pipeline's Stock Up '23 List: https://www.mlb.com/news/each-team-s-pr ... e-coverage
Guardians: Juan Brito, INF (No. 6)
Acquired from the Rockies for Nolan Jones last November, Brito is trending toward making that swap a win-win for both sides. Ranked as Cleveland’s No. 18 prospect to begin 2023, the 21-year-old switch-hitter has climbed three levels and 12 spots in the rankings on the strength of a plus hit tool, highlighted by low swing-and-miss rates across High-A and Double-A.
Cubs: Owen Caissie, OF (No. 3/MLB No. 64)
The highest-drafted Canadian outfielder ever, Caissie is the best part of the trade that sent Yu Darvish to the Padres. He turned just 21 in July of this year and might have the most power of any player in the Top 100, registering elite-level exit velocities and banging out 22 homers in Double-A this season, a big reason why he’s jumped up from No. 13 on the Cubs’ preseason Top 30 to No. 3.
Guardians: Juan Brito, INF (No. 6)
Acquired from the Rockies for Nolan Jones last November, Brito is trending toward making that swap a win-win for both sides. Ranked as Cleveland’s No. 18 prospect to begin 2023, the 21-year-old switch-hitter has climbed three levels and 12 spots in the rankings on the strength of a plus hit tool, highlighted by low swing-and-miss rates across High-A and Double-A.
Cubs: Owen Caissie, OF (No. 3/MLB No. 64)
The highest-drafted Canadian outfielder ever, Caissie is the best part of the trade that sent Yu Darvish to the Padres. He turned just 21 in July of this year and might have the most power of any player in the Top 100, registering elite-level exit velocities and banging out 22 homers in Double-A this season, a big reason why he’s jumped up from No. 13 on the Cubs’ preseason Top 30 to No. 3.
Re: Down on the Farm - 2024
From MLB Pipeline's Standout Prospect Stats: https://www.mlb.com/news/one-standout-p ... e-coverage
Cubs: 25% HR/flyball
Owen Caissie, OF (No. 3/MLB No. 64)
Acquired in the 2020 Yu Darvish trade with the Padres, Caissie may be the best power prospect in the Minors, producing exceptional velocities and performance for a 20-year-old. The sixth-youngest regular in the Double-A Southern League, he had the best rate of homers to flyballs in the circuit while ranking in the top five in 12 significant offensive categories, including third in on-base percentage (.398), slugging (.519) and OPS (.917), fourth in homers (22) and fifth in batting (.289).
Cubs: 25% HR/flyball
Owen Caissie, OF (No. 3/MLB No. 64)
Acquired in the 2020 Yu Darvish trade with the Padres, Caissie may be the best power prospect in the Minors, producing exceptional velocities and performance for a 20-year-old. The sixth-youngest regular in the Double-A Southern League, he had the best rate of homers to flyballs in the circuit while ranking in the top five in 12 significant offensive categories, including third in on-base percentage (.398), slugging (.519) and OPS (.917), fourth in homers (22) and fifth in batting (.289).
Re: Down on the Farm - 2024
From MLB Pipeline's Prospects Primed to Breakout: https://www.mlb.com/news/each-team-s-pr ... e-coverage
Red Sox: Miguel Bleis, OF (No. 5)
We anticipated a Bleis breakout last year, but he subluxated his left shoulder on a swing in late May and had season-ending surgery after hitting .230/.282/.325 with 11 steals in 31 Single-A games. Boston's best international prospect since Rafael Devers, he signed for $1.5 million out of the Dominican Republic in 2021 and is a center fielder with the potential for at least solid tools across the board.
Royals: Ramon Ramirez, C (Not ranked among Top 30)
Kansas City signed the then-17-year-old Venezuela native for just $57,500 last January but quickly saw him become one of the DSL’s most productive hitters. Ramirez hit .344/.440/.615 with eight homers while posting an 18/21 K/BB ratio over 150 plate appearances. His combination of plate protection and early power would be exciting at any position, but Royals officials have also expressed their pleasure with how Ramirez works defensively behind the dish. A stateside introduction will put Ramirez’s early production to the test, and he could make for a great KC catching depth chart alongside Blake Mitchell and Carter Jensen.
Red Sox: Miguel Bleis, OF (No. 5)
We anticipated a Bleis breakout last year, but he subluxated his left shoulder on a swing in late May and had season-ending surgery after hitting .230/.282/.325 with 11 steals in 31 Single-A games. Boston's best international prospect since Rafael Devers, he signed for $1.5 million out of the Dominican Republic in 2021 and is a center fielder with the potential for at least solid tools across the board.
Royals: Ramon Ramirez, C (Not ranked among Top 30)
Kansas City signed the then-17-year-old Venezuela native for just $57,500 last January but quickly saw him become one of the DSL’s most productive hitters. Ramirez hit .344/.440/.615 with eight homers while posting an 18/21 K/BB ratio over 150 plate appearances. His combination of plate protection and early power would be exciting at any position, but Royals officials have also expressed their pleasure with how Ramirez works defensively behind the dish. A stateside introduction will put Ramirez’s early production to the test, and he could make for a great KC catching depth chart alongside Blake Mitchell and Carter Jensen.
