Can You Guess The Player? Here’s The 2023 Baseball America Holiday Prospects Quiz
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This time of year is always exciting at Baseball America, even beyond the obvious perks of the holiday season.
We just sent the 2024 Prospect Handbook, our 24th edition, to the printer this week. Digital subscribers and customers will have access to all 900 scouting reports across the 30 MLB systems by early February. We are now fully in the midst of prospect season and before long, another year of baseball awaits.
So for the second consecutive year, we’re celebrating by putting together a holiday quiz. Below, find scouting reports pulled from Prospect Handbooks, draft reports or previous Top 10 rankings and try to guess the player.
We’ll start with some easy ones and build our way to the most difficult. Answers are linked in a separate story at the bottom of the post, but no peeking (or spoiling it to your friends) until you’ve settled on your answers.
Without further ado, let’s remember some guys.
Warm-up Round
These two reports should be easy enough for the casual fan to figure out. The players are prominent and each report has some helpful clues.
Player 1
No one more significantly redefined his prospect status in the system in 2013 quite like Player 1. Drafted as a multi-sport athlete (baseball, basketball, bowling), he showed a line-drive swing, good strike-zone judgment, speed and no power (zero homers) at short-season Lowell in 2012. That changed in 2013, when he showed improved patience and drove the ball for extra bases with startling frequency, first at low Class A Greenville then at high Class A Salem. Player 1 joined eight other minor leaguers with at least 15 homers and 30 steals in 2013. Though he has a sizable leg kick, Player 1 has the body control and athleticism to maintain balance, the quick hands to let the ball travel and the hand-eye coordination and bat speed to produce extra-base power. He shows a penchant for highlight-reel defensive plays at second base, and he has the athleticism and range for the Red Sox to consider shortstop and center field as possibilities. Player 1’s arm is better suited for the right side of the infield. He pairs above-average speed with good reads to steal bases at an excellent rate. With Dustin Pedroia signed for eight years, Player 1’s future with the organization, barring a trade, is most likely at any position but the one he’s playing. He appears headed for Double-A Portland in 2014.
Player 2
Like reigning Heisman Trophy winner Chris Weinke before him, Player 2 is a Cretin-Derham Hall star with a scholarship to play quarterback for Florida State. Some recruiting sources rank Player 2 as the top passer in the nation, and he won three national player-of-the-year awards after tying a state record with 41 touchdown throws last fall. He has MLB and NFL potential, and he also averaged nearly 20 points a game for a basketball team that finished third in the state. He could be costly to sign, albeit a cheaper option than Southern California righthander Mark Prior for the hometown Twins with the first pick. Scouts are sold on Player 2’s desire to play baseball and don’t believe football will stand in his way. His best tool is his bat, and he led all players at the 2000 World Junior Championship with a .559 average and 15 RBIs in eight games. He has exceptional bat speed and drives the ball to all fields. He’s athletic for a catcher, and his 6-foot-4, 205-pound frame reminds scouts of the Padres’ Ben Davis. Player 2, as would be expected, has a strong arm and natural leadership skills. The scrutiny that comes with being the possible No. 1 choice hasn’t bothered him in the least. He hit .553 with nine homers in his first 47 at-bats this spring, and didn’t strike out.
Baseball America Reader Level
OK, now let’s make this a tad more challenging. These still might not be overly difficult considering BA readers are quite smart, but you may have to stop and think for a second.
Player 3
Player 3’s meteoric rise to top-prospect status in 2017 was just the latest chapter in a history of excellence. The Lexington, Ky., native was considered a top two-rounds talent out of high school but fell to the 14th round due to a strong Vanderbilt commitment. In college, he started a College World Series championship game as a sophomore and led the Commodores to a national title, pitched for Team USA and was co-MVP of the Cape Cod League. He pitched through elbow soreness as a junior to wrap up a decorated career, and the Dodgers drafted him 24th overall in 2015. An MRI later revealed he needed Tommy John surgery, which he had shortly after being drafted, and he missed virtually all of 2016. Player 3 looked like a different pitcher in his first full season back in 2017. He returned sitting 96-99 mph, after previously living 91-96, and rocketed from high Class A Rancho Cucamonga to the majors. Player 3 is thin-framed, but that doesn’t affect his stuff or the ability to hold it. His newly-enhanced fastball sits 97-98 mph deep into outings, reaching 100 and rarely dipping below 95. It jumps on hitters quickly out of his loose, athletic, elastic delivery, and he pounds the strike zone. The one shortcoming of his fastball is it doesn’t have a ton of life, making it easier for hitters to square up when he misses his spot, a problem that was exposed during his September callup in the Dodgers bullpen. Player 3’s slider and curveball are both plus pitches he locates well. His slider is a wipeout offering at 91-93 mph with tight spin and late tilt, and his north-to-south power curveball is equally dangerous at 81-84 mph. Player 3 is still working on his changeup, with only about one in five he throws flashing average. He shows average to above command and control on all of his offerings. To top it off, he has a fearless mentality, exceptional makeup and a solid understanding of how to set hitters up. Player 3’s slight frame gives a few evaluators pause, but most see him as an elite pitching prospect with top-of-the-rotation potential. He has yet to pitch more than 95 innings in a season and will likely start 2018 back at Triple-A Oklahoma City in an effort to increase his durability.
Player 4
The Braves’ willingness to let him hit, along with a signing bonus of $409,500, contributed to Player 4’s decision to bypass Cal State Fullerton and sign with Atlanta as the 78th overall pick in the 2007 draft. A former member of USA Baseball’s youth and junior national teams, Player 4 attracted strong interest from many teams for his abilities on the mound. He showed two plus pitches–a heavy, low-90s fastball and a hard slider–while working as a closer in high school, but Player 4 always has preferred mashing the ball as opposed to throwing it. Only 17 when drafted, he has an ideal hitter’s frame that projects extremely well. He has above-average power with a smooth stroke from the left side that produces hits that sound different coming off the bat. He shows a good feel for the strike zone and his hands work very well, helping to give him above-average raw power. Though not the fleetest afoot, Player 4 handles first base well, displaying good footwork and excellent reactions. He also has an exceedingly strong arm for the position. His performance in spring training will determine whether he opens 2008 in low Class A or in extended spring training.
Player 5
With a build that’s rare for baseball at 6-foot-7 and 255 pounds, Player 5 earns physical comparisons to NBA Player Blake Griffin. He was a three-sport athlete in high school and got most of his college offers for football as a tight end. But he loved baseball and headed to Fresno State–where both his parents went–even after the Athletics drafted him in the 31st round out of high school. Player 5 puts on jaw-dropping batting practice displays, but some scouts worry that his power won’t translate to games. He hit four home runs as a sophomore and had eight so far this season as he got bigger in his stance and made adjustments. Player 5 profiles as a .250 hitter and is going to strike out a lot, which comes with the territory for tall power hitters with long arms. A team can live with the strikeouts if he hits 30-plus home runs a year. While his swing is more about strength and leverage than bat speed, he has light-tower power. Player 5 is a solid-average runner with an above-average arm and will be a solid defender in right field.
Player 6
Player 6 showed why he’s probably the best pitching prospect in the game, consistently dealing the kind of dominating stuff that invites comparisons to the early version of Dwight Gooden. With excellent size and body control, Player 6 generally puts his lively, 96-97 mph fastball wherever he wants. He could add velocity as he refines his already sound mechanics and matures physically. “I wasn’t so much surprised by the stuff, though, as by the command,” Missions manager Dave Brundage said. “He threw quality strikes when he needed to. His stuff when he was down 2-0 in the count was as good as it was at 0-0.” Player 6 has a true slider that sits in the 88-90 mph range, though the Mariners try to limit him to his mid-80s power curveball and changeup. He has minor adjustments to make, such as holding runners and fielding his position, but the main issue will be to stay healthy. “To see an 18-year-old with that kind of stuff come in and dominate was very impressive,” El Paso manager Scott Coolbaugh said. “There was nobody else throwing like him in the league.”
Player 7
The Reds signed Player 7 to a $600,000 deal on day two of the draft. He had a tremendous predraft workout in Cinergy Field, highlighted by catching advice from Johnny Bench and home runs into the second deck against 91 mph fastballs. His fluid lefthanded stroke with natural loft and raw power also garnered predraft looks from the Yankees and Angels. Player 7 moved to catcher in the summer of 2001 and caught just 15 games in high school. Primarily a third baseman as an amateur, he spent most of his time in his pro debut there. He led the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League with 25 extra-base hits in 50 games. Player 7 has outstanding bat speed and demonstrates good hitting instincts. He shows a feel for hitting the ball to all fields. Defensively, some scouts question if he’ll be able to stay behind the plate. He has a good arm and receives the ball well, but has a lot of room for improvement on footwork and glove-to-hand transfer. He threw out four of 18 basestealers in the GCL. The Reds want him to concentrate on hitting adjustments before stressing his defensive development. A strong spring effort could propel him to low Class A.
Hardcore Baseball America Reader Level
Let’s turn the difficulty up another notch. These are still well-known players, but their reports may give less away compared to previous rounds.
Player 8
Player 8 starred in Cuba’s junior leagues and on its 2013 18U national team, where he finished second behind only teammate Yoan Moncada in on-base percentage during tournament play in Taiwan. The Cardinals invested heavily in Cuban talent during the 2016-17 international signing period and signed Player 8 for $1.25 million. Player 8 delivered a positive early return on that investment, finishing among the organization leaders in doubles (32), triples (four), and stolen bases (18) in 2017 while climbing to Double-A in his first season. He is wired for contact with a quick, simple righthanded stroke that stays in the hitting zone for a long time. He has a strong eye at the plate, doesn’t chase, and uses the whole field. He has wiry strength and more juice in his bat than expected from his 5-foot-11, 170-pound frame, although his developing power is presently all pull-side. He enhances his offensive game as an above-average-to-plus runner who uses his speed efficiently to steal bases. Player 8 primarily played left field in his debut season, but is average to above in center field as well. He plays hard and with some flair on the field. Player 8’s total package, with his line-drive ability and speed, fits atop a lineup.
Player 9
Player 9 fits no standard profile. He doesn’t lack tools, but he’s difficult to compare to other players. He has a unique build, compared by some scouts to a fire hydrant, and some say he is two inches shorter than his listed height. At the end of last season, he may have been 10 pounds lighter as well. But he has baseball skills and enough tools to make things interesting. Defense is his best attribute. He has quick, strong hands that work well at the plate and in the field. He’s agile and at times a dazzling second baseman, with arm strength to turn the double play well. He has developed a good rapport with shortstop Jio Mier, whom he has played with the last two seasons, and has gotten in time at third base as well. Offensively, Player 9 shows enough power to punish mistakes but mostly plays a No. 2 hitter’s game. He uses the whole field, has excellent baserunning skills that augment his average speed and shows the bat control to move runners. Player 9 plays with energy that makes him a team leader and keeps winning people over. He may put up big numbers at Lancaster this season but will have to keep proving himself at higher levels to scouts who remain skeptical of a player with such a small body.
Player 10
Believe the hype. Everywhere Player 10 went in the league, he drew rave reviews for his Greg Maddux-like command and his bulldog mentality on the mound. Player 10 befuddled hitters by altering speeds on his fastball and curveball. He also throws a slider and changeup, and can throw any of the four pitches for strikes in any count. “He’s overpowering physically and mentally,” Kinston manager Torey Lovullo said. “He did a great job of attacking hitters and changing speeds. He’d throw his fastball one time and hit 95, then drop it back to 80. He’s as close to what you’d call a sure thing as I’ve seen. He has a great feel for how to get a hitter out.”
Player 11
In his first year of pro ball, Player 11 was rated among the Top 10 Prospects in two Rookie leagues. He was named the No. 2 prospect in the Appalachian League after making the jump from the Gulf Coast League, where he was ranked No. 3. Player 11 is one of the most gifted athletes in the minor leagues. A true five-tool player, he’s a burner who uses his speed and instincts in the outfield and on the bases. His arm is among the best in the organization. Player 11 simply needs to play. His lack of professional experience is the only thing keeping him from being an impact player at higher levels. Player 11 should start 1995 at low Class A Macon. No one in Atlanta would be surprised if he rises through the organization rapidly. They quietly compare him to Roberto Clemente.
Player 12
He wasn’t quite the second coming of Homer Bailey, but Player 12 gave Dayton a live-armed righthander to build its rotation around for the second straight year. While Bailey was making a case for being the best pitching prospect in the minors, Player 12 was exceeding Bailey’s 2005 performance in the MWL. Player 12 stands just 5-foot-11, but scouts believe he has a chance to make it as a starter because he has athleticism, long arms and a stress-free delivery that allow him to throw 88-95 mph fastballs that explode on hitters. He maintains his velocity deep into games, and at times his mid-80s slider is outstanding. He’s aggressive and throws quality strikes. In order to stay in the rotation, Player 12 will need to get more consistent with his changeup and develop more feel and command with it. He likes to work high in the strike zone, which he won’t be able to get away with as often at higher levels.
Player 13
At 19, Player 13 bolted through Double-A and Triple-A last season, leading the minors in RBIs (119) and total bases (294), ranking second in home runs (28) and runs (112) and fifth in hits (116). Then he spent September as the Brewers’ shortstop, convincing them he was at his level. Player 13 once was described by the late Harvey Kuenn as a young Willie Mays. He has no apparent weaknesses at the plate because he adjusts on breaking pitches so well, and his power is growing into league-leading proportions. Honing his once-blocky build has helped him remain an above-average runner. Player 13 has become proficient at shortstop and third base, and his arm plays well above sufficient at both positions. Left field also could be an immediate possibility, if it’s where he fits best into the lineup.
Player 14
Player 14 has been a living contradiction at North Carolina State. He has been a three-year starting quarterback and an all-Atlantic Coast Conference choice in football and a platoon player in baseball, even though he is going to play baseball professionally. He passed for 3,288 yards and 26 touchdowns in the 2010 regular season as N.C. State went 8-4. On the diamond last spring, however, he made just 25 starts at second base and the outfield, playing almost exclusively against lefthanders. Player 14 was drafted by the Orioles out of high school in the 41st round in 2007, when he turned down six-figure overtures from other clubs. He signed as a fourth-round pick for $200,000 last summer, with the Rockies allowing him to return to quarterback N.C. State. He has the athleticism and aptitude that gave scouts reason to believe he could be a quality infielder. He has game-changing speed but has to learn the subtleties that will allow him to turn it into an asset. He understands the offensive game, hitting the ball the other way and incorporating the bunt into his game, and scouts have long liked his fairly compact swing. Player 14 shows plus range with good hands and a solid arm but needs reps in the infield and will have to adjust to the speed of the game. He did get into 32 games at short-season Tri-City last summer before returning to college and will play in low Class A this year. While the Rockies are counting on 2010 being his final football season–and N.C. State honored him on its senior day, even though he is a junior in football eligibility–it remains possible that he could return for another season of football. He has expressed a desire to reach the major leagues in both sports.
You Should Work At Baseball America Level
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Player 15
Though he didn’t perform well as a college junior, Player 15 had shown first-round stuff during his amateur career, so the Orioles gave him $1.1 million as a fifth-round pick in the 2007 draft. He looked well worth it in his 2008 pro debut, finishing as the Carolina League’s ERA leader, pitcher of the year and top pitching prospect despite dealing with an oblique injury in June and departing early to pitch for the U.S. Olympic team. He made one start in Beijing, pitching six shutout innings with seven strikeouts against China. The Orioles thought Player 15 could get his velocity back with minor mechanical adjustments, and they were right. His fastball peaked at 96-97 mph in 2008 and showed explosive late movement, and he got stronger with more work. He shows good fastball command and isn’t afraid to pitch inside, and his big frame should allow him to eat innings. Player 15 could have as many as three plus pitches to go with his fastball, but they all need work. His slider has the most potential, but his changeup should also be a good pitch as he uses it more. His curveball is a slow, big breaker that he’ll need to tighten up. Some observers believe Player 15 will be better than both Chris Tillman and Brian Matusz, and the Orioles will be happy if they can build their future rotation.
Player 16
There were three strikes against Player 16, one being that he often uses three strikes without putting the ball in play. He also didn’t have a very strong season, with hamstring problems partially to blame. And because the Yankees signed him to a $3.7 million major league contract in 1999, he’s now out of options. Acquired in the Drew Henson trade with New York, Player 16 has to stick on the Reds’ 25-man roster next year or be exposed to waivers. Cincinnati likely won’t run that risk because of Player 16’s out-of-sight tools, but that scenario will make it hard for him to hone his ability. “It’s going to be hard for him to grow and develop and learn if he’s sitting in the big leagues and not playing a whole lot,” Chattanooga manager Phillip Wellman said. “There’s no question he’s got superstar qualities.” Player 16 has frightening bat speed that generates Sammy Sosa-like power. He also is quick on the bases and in the outfield, and he owns a powerful arm. Until he learns the strike zone, however, he’ll only be a tease.
Player 17
The hard-throwing Player 17 emerged as a top prospect in 2002, making the leap from high Class A Visalia to Double-A Midland with hardly a struggle. He dominated after the promotion, and it was all the more impressive because he was 20 and in his first full season as a pro. Player 17 grew up in Victoria, B.C., and played mostly outfield in summer-league competition. He did pitch enough to catch the attention of the Mariners, who drafted him in the 38th round in 1999. He opted instead for Central Arizona JC because he didn’t believe he was ready for pro ball. Athletics scout John Kuehl kept his eye on Player 17 and persuaded Oakland to call his name in the 17th round in 2000 as a draft-and-follow. Player 17 returned to Central Arizona and led all juco pitchers in strikeouts as a sophomore before signing in May. He tied for the short-season Northwest League lead in strikeouts in his pro debut, but he had a problem–his curveball was below pro standards. So Player 17 and the A’s agreed to scrap it in favor of a slider. The results came almost instantly. With a fastball that hits 95 mph and a deceptive changeup, Player 17 has two outstanding pitches as the foundation of his arsenal. He also throws the slider and a splitter, which can be above-average at times. While the slider isn’t an exceptional pitch, it provides an effective balance to the fastball and changeup, keeping hitters off-balance. He has added a two-seam fastball, a mid-80s sinker that gives hitters something else to worry about. Player 17 has a calm demeanor on the mound and is rarely flustered with runners on base. He has shown the ability to work out of jams. Player 17’s pitch counts are too high. He has yet to learn to retire batters early in the count to allow him to go deeper into games. He sometimes reaches his pitch limit in the fifth or sixth inning. While his slider has shown dramatic improvement, it still needs more consistency. Player 17’s combination of power and deception is intriguing. He has the potential to become a legitimate No. 1 starter. Player 17 is ticketed to begin 2003 at Triple-A Sacramento and could contribute in the majors by season’s end
Player 18
When the Rockies fell out of contention, they dumped Tom Goodwin and Brian Hunter in order to hand center field over to Player 18. After hitting safely in his last 12 Double-A games and all four of his Triple-A appearances, he did the same in his first 16 big league contests. He has shown enough with Colorado to claim a starting job for 2001. He showed plenty in the SL as well. Player 18 terrorized opponents with his basestealing speed and used his jets to take away several hits in center field. “He’s going to be an impact player,” Roof said. “One thing that made him special was that you don’t find too many true leadoff hitters.” Player 18 has very little power and only slightly more patience at the plate. Of course, playing in Coors Field will help mask those flaws. Some managers questioned whether Player 18’s arm was of major league caliber, but he gets to balls more quickly than most center fielders.
Player 19
If Player 19 were a few inches taller than his listed 6 feet, he would be the favorite for the No. 1 overall pick. He’s still in the mix for the Pirates and could go as high as No. 2 to the Devil Rays. Even if he’s not big, his stuff is, as his lightning-quick arm reminds scouts of Ron Guidry. His lively fastball, which reaches 96 mph, and slider are both well above-average pitches, and his hard curveball gives him a third plus offering. His huge hands and long fingers help him throw his quality breaking stuff. Player 19 also shows a feel for a changeup, and he has easy command of all of his pitches. The lone question is whether he’ll have the durability to take the ball every five days instead of every seven as a pro. With his ability and the way he dominated every time out this spring, it will be hard for teams at the top of the draft to pass on Player 19.
Player 20
Managers were so enthralled with Player 20’s five-tool ability that they compared him to Alex Rodriguez and Nomar Garciaparra at the same stage of their careers. “He’s awesome,” Orioles manager Jesus Alfaro said. “He’s tall and thin like A-Rod, and has similar actions. He’s got range and arm strength, and is capable of making the spectacular play. And he’s an outstanding hitter.” “He has the gift,” Reds manager Edgar Caceres said. “He has great bat speed and should hit for both power and average. There are no holes in his swing.” Player 20’s bat is his best tool. He hit .341 for the Red Sox – second in the league – and outdid himself when he was promoted to the New York-Penn League for the final 19 games. He hit .379 there and was named the short-season circuit’s No. 1 prospect. “He’s on the fast track to the big leagues and should get there quicker than anyone,” Twins manager Rudy Hernandez said. “He may end up at third base, but he has the bat to play there.” While managers universally praised Player 20’s can’t-miss talent, they were also unanimous in their concern for his lackadaisical, sometimes cocky approach to the game.
ANSWER KEY
Time to check your work! We reveal the identities of all 20 players here.
