2023 Best Tools In The Minor Leagues
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Image credit: Masyn Winn (Photo by Doug Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The 2023 minor league season begins Thursday at Double-A, High-A and Low-A. That means it is Opening Day for 90 teams across the three levels after Triple-A opened on March 31.
After years of uncertainty, the 2023 minor league season brings a semblance of consistency. This will be just the second full minor league season since 2019 due to Covid-19. It also marks the first year in which minor league players are covered by a CBA, which guarantees them increased salaries and improved housing accommodations, among other significant benefits.
With the return of baseball across every level, here are the players with the best tools in the minors for the 2023 season.
Only players who are prospect-eligible and on minor league rosters or injured lists were considered.
BEST HITTER
- Sal Frelick, OF, Brewers
- Termarr Johnson, 2B, Pirates
- Curtis Mead, 3B, Rays
- Brooks Lee, SS, Twins
- Kyle Manzardo, 1B, Rays
Honorable Mention: Jonathan Aranda, Rays; Jackson Merrill, Padres; Brett Baty, Mets; Edouard Julien, Twins; Jackson Holliday, Orioles; Endy Rodriguez, Pirates.
BEST POWER
- Francisco Alvarez, C, Mets
- Moises Gomez, OF, Cardinals
- Deyvison De Los Santos, 3B, D-backs
- Elijah Green, OF, Nationals
- Elly De La Cruz, SS, Reds
Honorable Mention: Jhonkensy Noel, Guardians; James Wood, OF, Nationals; Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Reds; Diego Cartaya, C, Dodgers; Hunter Goodman, Rockies; Alexander Canario, Cubs; Matt Wallner, Twins; Matt Gorski, Pirates.
BEST SPEED
- Jordyn Adams, OF, Angels
- Chandler Simpson, OF, Rays
- Anthony Baptist, OF, Mets
- Samad Taylor, OF, Blue Jays
- David Hamilton, 2B/SS, Red Sox
Honorable Mention: Elly De La Cruz, Reds; Johan Rojas, Phillies; Druw Jones, OF, D-backs; Greg Jones, Rays; Nasim Nuñez, Marlins; Wilderd Patiño, D-backs; Jonatan Clase, Mariners; Dasan Brown, Blue Jays; Braiden Ward, Rockies; Luis Valdez, Orioles.
BEST DEFENSIVE CATCHER
- Drew Romo, Rockies
- Jeferson Quero, Brewers
- Pablo Aliendo, Cubs
- Patrick Bailey, Giants
- Logan Tanner, Reds
Honorable Mention: Dillon Dingler, Tigers; Bo Naylor, Guardians; Drew Millas, Nationals; Josh Crouch, Tigers; Ethan Salas, Padres.
BEST DEFENSIVE INFIELDER
- Edwin Arroyo, SS, Reds
- Casey Schmitt, 3B, Giants
- Maikel Garcia, SS, Royals
- Armando Cruz, SS, Nationals
- Kevin Made, SS, Cubs
Honorable Mention: Joey Ortiz, SS, Orioles; Julio Carreras, SS, Rockies; Jared Triolo, 3B, Pirates; Brayan Rocchio, SS, Guardians; Marcelo Mayer, SS, Red Sox; Carson Williams, SS, Rays; Aeverson Arteaga, SS, Giants.
BEST INFIELD ARM
- Masyn Winn, SS, Cardinals
- Roderick Arias, SS, Yankees
- Casey Schmitt, 3B, Giants
- Carson Williams, SS, Rays
- Elly De La Cruz, SS, Reds
Honorable Mention: Blaze Alexander, SS, D-backs; Jesus Baez, SS, Mets; Kevin Made, SS, Cubs; Cam Collier, 3B, Reds; Noah Miller, SS, Twins; Addison Barger, SS, Blue Jays; Aeverson Arteaga, SS, Giants; Nasim Nuñez, SS, Marlins.
BEST DEFENSIVE OUTFIELDER
- Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs
- Druw Jones, D-backs
- Ceddanne Rafaela, Red Sox
- Denzel Clarke, Athletics
- Dasan Brown, Blue Jays
Honorable Mention: Evan Carter, Rangers; Jackson Chourio, Brewers; Grant McCray, Giants; Johan Rojas, Phillies; Alex Ramirez, Mets; DaShawn Keirsey, Twins
BEST OUTFIELD ARM
- Matt Gorski, Pirates
- Mason Auer, Rays
- Andy Pages, Dodgers
- Joshua Baez, Cardinals
- Jose Ramos, Dodgers
Honorable Mention: Rece Hinds, Reds; Matt Wallner, Twins; Gabriel Gonzalez, Mariners; Jerar Encarnacion, Marlins.
BEST FASTBALL
- Daniel Espino, RHP, Guardians
- Ben Joyce, RHP, Angels
- Gavin Williams, RHP, Guardians
- Bryce Miller, RHP, Mariners
- Cole Waites, RHP, Giants
Honorable Mention: Kyle Harrison, LHP, Giants; D.L. Hall, LHP, Orioles; Andrew Painter, RHP, Phillies; Eury Perez, RHP, Marlins; Bubba Chandler, RHP, Pirates; Daniel Palencia, RHP, Cubs; Tink Hence, RHP, Cardinals; Ricky Tiedemann, LHP, Blue Jays.
BEST BREAKING BALL
- Daniel Espino, RHP, Guardians (SL)
- Grayson Rodriguez, RHP, Orioles (SL)
- Bobby Miller, RHP, Dodgers (SL)
- D.L. Hall, LHP, Orioles (SL)
- A.J. Smith-Shawver, RHP, Braves (SL)
Honorable Mention: Luis Ortiz, RHP, Pirates (SL); Jacob Misiorowski, RHP, Brewers (SL); Jackson Jobe, RHP, Tigers (SL); Matthew Liberatore, LHP, Cardinals (CB); Ben Brown, RHP, Cubs (CB); Mike Burrows, RHP, Pirates (SL); Antoine Kelly, LHP, Rangers (SL); R.J. Dabovich, RHP, Giants (CB); Andrew Baker, RHP, Phillies (CB).
BEST CHANGEUP
- Gavin Stone, RHP, Dodgers
- Ricky Tiedemann, LHP, Blue Jays
- Carson Whisenhunt, LHP, Giants
- Dylan Lesko, RHP, Padres
- Matt Canterino, RHP, Twins
Honorable Mention: Sixto Sanchez, RHP, Marlins; Jackson Kowar, RHP, Royals; Drew Thorpe, RHP, Yankees; Darius Vines, RHP, Braves; Justin Martinez, RHP, D-backs; Tanner Bibee, RHP, Guardians.
BEST CONTROL
- Luis Palacios, RHP, Marlins
- Brandon Pfaadt, RHP, D-backs
- Michael McGreevy, RHP, Cardinals
- Gordon Graceffo, RHP, Cardinals
- Tanner Bibee, RHP, Guardians
Honorable Mention: Taylor Dollard, RHP, Mariners; Wilmer Flores, RHP, Tigers; Taj Bradley, RHP, Rays; Andrew Painter, RHP, Phillies; J.J. Goss, RHP, Rays; Will Dion, RHP, Guardians; Kyle Virbitsky, RHP, Orioles; Trey Dombroski, LHP, Astros.
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