2019 Top 100 Prospects

Notes:

ETA: 2020
Preseason rank: 4
Hit: 70 | Power: 70 | Speed: 50 | Defense: 55 | Arm: 55

Baseball’s best prospect hit .311 in April as he adjusted to the cold of a Midwest League April. He only got better from there. Franco moved to the high Class A Florida State League in mid-June and kept right on raking. He's on track to finish with many more walks than strikeouts, all while hitting for a high average as the youngest player in one of the game's most pitcher-friendly leagues. His game is polished beyond what anyone would have the right to expect for a player who won't turn 19 until next March.

Notes:

ETA: 2020
Preseason rank: 6
Hit: 55: | Power: 70 | Speed: 60 | Defense: 55 | Arm: 60

Adell missed the first six weeks of the season with a sprained ankle and strained hamstring, but he has been better than ever since he returned. He is showing increased first-step quickness in the outfield, has improved his pitch selection and plate discipline to cut down on his strikeouts and has added more strength to impact the ball with more authority. That added strength showed up in his two-month domination of the Double-A Southern League, where he produced a .944 OPS before being promoted to Triple-A Salt Lake. He's slated to make up the lost time early in the year with a place in the Arizona Fall League.

Notes:

ETA: 2020
Preseason rank: 76
Hit: 55 | Power: 60 | Speed: 70 | Defense: 60 | Arm: 55

After a year beset by adjustments and injuries, the multi-talented outfielder is proving why he’s one of the best prospects in the sport. He turned the Carolina League on its head in a quick return to the level to open the season, then blitzed the Southern League as part of a star-studded group in Birmingham. The beat went on at Triple-A Charlotte, where his natural skills combined with the juicier baseballs and an extremely hitter-friendly home park to produce a fitting coda to one of the best seasons in the minors. He will finish the year with at least 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases, which hints at the tantalizing nature of his skill set.

Notes:

ETA: 2021
Preseason rank: 28
Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 60 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 60

Free of last year’s blister issues, Gore has flashed four plus pitches—though not always at the same time—plus control, plus athleticism and extraordinary poise in dominating the high Class A California League and earning a promotion to Double-A Amarillo. His numbers at the new level haven't been pretty, but they are more of a reflection of the extreme offensive climate at Amarillo than any erosion of the lefthander's skills. Gore, who pitched just 60.2 innings in 2018, was given a two-week break toward the end of August in an effort to manage his workload.

Notes:

ETA: 2022
Preseason rank: Unranked, 2019 Draft Pick
Hit: 70 | Power: 70 | Speed: 40 | Defense: 60 | Arm: 60

With advanced hitting ability and power from both sides of the plate, Rutschman is a complete offensive player who also brings plus defensive ability behind the plate along with terrific leadership ability. The start to his pro career was delayed while recovered from a case of mononucleosis discovered after he was drafted. He used stops in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League and short-season New York-Penn League to shake off the rust before settling in with low Class A Delmarva for the stretch run. At his best, he projects as a cornerstone player with standout tools on offense and defense.

Notes:

ETA: 2020
Preseason rank: 40
Hit: 55: | Power: 50 | Speed: 55 | Defense: 55 | Arm: 55

Lux continues to get stronger and make all the right adjustments at the plate. He tore through the Double-A Texas League to earn a berth in the Futures Game and then a promotion to Triple-A Oklahoma City. He spread a 50-game on-base streak across Double-A and Triple-A, and hasn't gone hitless in back to back games since June 7 and 8, when he was still in the Texas League. Lux made his big league debut on Sept. 2, and with a covey of young stars already in the big leagues, he looks like the next addition to the Dodgers' young, talented juggernaut.

Notes:

ETA: 2020
Preseason rank: 70
Fastball: 70 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 45

Pearson's pure stuff ranks among the best in the minors, with a fastball that sits in the upper-90s and consistently reaches triple-digits, complemented by a swing-and-miss slider in the upper-80s and a changeup that has improved enough to project as a plus pitch. After having his workload managed with alternating five- and two-inning starts in high Class A and Double-A, the reins came off on June 24. He's gone five innings or more in each of the seven starts since that date, and has produced excellent results. He blew away the competition in the Futures Game and has the body and stuff to project as a No. 1 starter.

Notes:

ETA: 2020
Preseason rank: 16
Fastball: 70 | Slider: 55 | Splitter: 70| Control: 60

Mize, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 draft, cut through the Florida State League with ease before moving to Double-A on April 25. He opened his tenure at the upper levels by throwing a nine-inning no-hitter against Altoona on just 98 pitches. He dominated the Eastern League until a start on June 13, when he left with shoulder soreness that necessitated a monthlong stint on the injured list. He returned to the level on July 21 but was nowhere near as effective. The Tigers made the decision in late August to shut Mize down for the rest of the season before taking another look in the fall instructional league.

Notes:

ETA: 2019
Preseason rank: 7
Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 60 | Changeup: 70 | Control: 65

Oakland’s top prospect has battled shoulder and lat issues all season and has been limited to just 37 innings, including 12 for rehab outings in the Rookie-level Arizona League and high Class A California League. The reports on his stuff have been the same when he's been healthy, but those moments have been few and far between in 2019.

Notes:

ETA: 2020
Preseason rank: 47
Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 50 | Changeup: 50 | Cutter: 60
Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Speed: 40 | Defense: 45 | Arm: 50

McKay made an early two-start cameo and showed well, but has been inconsistent overall in time with the big clubs. In the minors, evaluators saw excellent command of an intriguing four-pitch mix but his performance in the big leagues has shown he still has a little sharpening to do as far as control and command are concerned. He's also reported a bit of discomfort in his shoulder that required a small break toward the end of the season.

Notes:

ETA: 2020
Preseason rank: 85
Hit: 50 | Power: 40 | Speed: 70 | Defense: 70 | Arm: 70

Pache has gotten bigger, stronger and more adept at driving the ball over the past two seasons. He earned a berth in th Futures Game and moved to Triple-A Gwinnett toward the tail end of the season. He still has to refine his command of the strike zone, but the raw tools—especially his standout range and instincts in center field—add up to a tantalizing package of tools and skills that could make him a star in Atlanta's already talented lineup.

Notes:

ETA: 2019
Preseason rank: 14
Hit: 60: | Power: 55 | Speed: 50 | Defense: 55 | Arm: 60

Rodgers improved his patience at Triple-A and blitzed through the Pacific Coast league to earn his first big league callup in May. He saw time at both second base and shortstop for the Rockies before going on the injured list with right shoulder injury in late June, and he had season-ending surgery to repair a torn labrum.

Notes:

ETA: 2019
Preseason rank: 5
Fastball: 70 | Curveball: 60 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 70 | Cutter: 60 | Control: 55

It’s been an awful 2019 for one of baseball’s best pitching prospects. He was repeatedly shelled in Triple-A, sent to the injured list and now has been hit around by Rookie-ball hitters in his first Gulf Coast League rehab start. He seemed to get back on track in a two-start stint with high Class A Fayetteville, but his control problems resurfaced once returned to Double-A Corpus Christi. He'll look to get himself going while making up for lost time in the Arizona Fall League.

Notes:

ETA: 2019
Preseason rank: 41
Hit: 55 | Power: 60 | Speed: 50 | Defense: 50 | Arm: 55

Kieboom started the year in Triple-A after performing well in High Class A and Double-A ball last year, and made his major league debut on April 26, hitting a game-tying home run for a dramatic first big league hit. Kieboom struggled for the most part in his promotion and hit .128/.209/.282 over 11 games, but he hit the ball hard (90.9 mph average exit velocity) and has more than held his own in the offensive-inclined Pacific Coast League. Kieboom has shown an advanced approach that could allow him to hit in the middle or toward the top of a lineup. While his range makes him a better fit for second or third, he can handle shortstop enough to fill in there if needed.

Notes:

ETA: 2021
Preseason rank: 29
Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Speed: 40 | Defense: 60 | Arm: 60

The No. 2 overall pick in 2018, Bart signed with the Giants for $7.025 million, which was the largest signing bonus for a position player in draft history before Adley Rutschman, Bobby Witt Jr., and Andrew Vaughn all surpassed that figure in this year’s class. Despite missing nearly two months earlier this season due to injury, Bart is a potential middle-of-the-order bat with plus defensive ability at a premium position. He moved to Double-A Richmond toward the end of the season and will headline the Scottsdale club in the Arizona Fall League.

Notes:

ETA: 2021
Preseason rank: Unranked
Hit: 55: | Power: 50 | Speed: 50 | Defense: 55 | Arm: 55

Carlson’s physical ability has caught up to his advanced baseball IQ and led to a breakout season that started at Double-A Springfield, where he opened the season as the league's fourth-youngest player, and continued upon his promotion to Triple-A Memphis on Aug. 15. He also showed more aggression on the basepaths, where he swiped 18 bags (equaling his previous career total) en route to a potential 20-20 season.

Notes:

ETA: 2020
Preseason rank: 82
Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 55 | Changeup: 40 | Cutter: 55 | Control: 60

May has added velocity to each of his pitches this season, topped by a sinker now averaging 95 mph and touching 98-99 mph, as well as a 90-92 mph cutter that has become a devastating secondary pitch. He dominated Double-A in the first half and was rewarded with a Futures Game, a promotion to Triple-A and his first callup to the big leagues on Aug. 2. His performance down the stretch could put him in position for a spot in the Dodgers' bullpen during the playoffs.

Notes:

ETA: 2020
Preseason rank: 50
Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50

An improved changeup and consistent strike-throwing have helped Manning to produce in the Eastern League. Manning entered the season as the youngest pitcher in the EL and is likely to finish among its top three in both strikeouts and ERA. He's part of a star-studded rotation with Erie that also has included Casey Mize, Alex Faedo, Tarik Skubal and Anthony Castro, and arguably has the highest upside of the entire group given his combination of stuff and athleticism.

Notes:

ETA: 2020
Preseason rank: 13
Fastball: 70 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 70

Acquired in the offseason trade that sent J.T. Realmuto to Philadelphia, Sanchez gives the Marlins a potential front-of-the-rotation starter armed with an upper-90s fastball and two potentially plus offspeed offerings.

Notes:

ETA: 2020
Preseason rank: 15
Hit: 70 | Power: 55 | Speed: 50 | Defense: 50 | Arm: 45

The most skilled hitter in the Twins’ system, Kirilloff has performed well in the Double-A Southern League despite being one of its youngest players and having his season truncated by a sprained wrist.

Notes:

ETA: 2020
Preseason rank: 9
Hit: 60 | Power: 55 | Speed: 60 | Defense: 60 | Arm: 55

Lewis is a premium athlete gifted with plus tools, but his offensive development has stalled in 2019. His complicated swing mechanics give scouts concern about his ability to hit high-level pitching. While he still has the tools to play shortstop, the Twins gave him a little bit of a look in center field at the end of the season with Double-A Pensacola.

Notes:

ETA: 2020
Preseason rank: Unranked, 2019 Draft Pick
Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Speed: 70 | Defense: 60 | Arm: 60

Witt Jr. is as toolsy as the come, with plus tools across the board outside of his pure hitting ability. If he winds up being an above-average hitter, he has the chance to be a franchise type player.

Notes:

ETA: 2022
Preseason rank: 68
Hit: 60 | Power: 55 | Speed: 50 | Defense: 50 | Arm: 55

Kelenic continues to show his five-tool ability, receiving aggressive promotions to high Class A Modesto in late May and Double-A in early August .

Notes:

ETA: 2019
Preseason rank: 18
Fastball: 70 | Slider: 70 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 50

Puk made it back from Tommy John surgery to make his major league debut pitching out of the bullpen this year. His premium stuff gives him a chance to be a front-of-the-rotation starter if he can stay healthy and harness his control.

Notes:

ETA: 2021
Preseason rank: Unranked, 2019 Draft Pick
Hit: 70 | Power: 70 | Speed: 30 | Defense: 50 | Arm: 45

Vaughn was the best pure hitter in the 2019 draft. His elite understanding of the strike zone, strength and smooth swing should allow him to quickly become a middle-of-the-order first baseman.