Prospect Report: Jordan Walker Shines and Kodai Senga Debuts

Image credit: Jordan Walker (Photo by Benjamin Rusnak/Getty Images)

Jordan Walker, OF, Cardinals: The Cardinals top prospect showed out on Saturday going 4-for-4 with two home runs, a double, three runs scored and three RBIs. Walker started the game off with an infield single off of Josiah Gray in the first before taking Cade Cavalli deep in the third off a 98 mph fastball. He continued his power show with a double in the fifth off of veteran major leaguer Alex Colome, before capping off his day with a home run in the seventh off of Chad Kuhl. Walker has impressed in early spring training action and has a realistic chance to break camp with the club. 

Kodai Senga, RHP, Mets: Senga made his North American debut in Jupiter on Sunday against the Cardinals. He struggled with command throughout the start but showed off an impressive pitch mix. Senga sat 95-97 mph on his fastball, touching 98 mph at peak, and mixed in his notorious “ghost” forkball, a sweeper in the low 80s and a high-80s cutter. He allowed one run over two innings, struck out two and walked two. 

 

Brandon Walter, LHP, Red Sox: Added to the Red Sox 40-man roster this winter, the 26 year old lefthander tossed two scoreless innings on Friday, striking out three while allowing one hit. He mixed a sinker at 90-93 mph, a sweeping slider in the low-80s and a low-80s changeup. He needed just 24 pitches to get through two innings. Walter has a chance to contribute for the Red Sox in 2023. 

Colt Keith, 3B, Tigers: The Tigers top position prospect had a good weekend, homering in his only at bat in Friday’s game and following it up with a 1-for-2 showing on Saturday as he connected for a double. Keith possesses as much upside at the plate as any Tigers positional prospect displaying a strong combination of power, contact and swing decisions. He has a chance to help the Tigers at some point in 2024. 

Masyn Winn, SS, Cardinals: The strongest infield arm in baseball showed off his power stroke on Friday connecting for a home run in the 6th inning of the Cardinals matchup with the Marlins. He took an 86 mph cutter from Daniel Castano 435 feet to left center field. The home run was clocked at 106.8 mph off the bat with a launch angle of 24 degrees. Winn has hits in all five of the spring training games he’s appeared in. 

Lawrence Butler, OF, Athletics: The powerful slugger has shown improved bat-to-ball skills this spring as he collected his third multi-hit game of the Cactus League season. Butler went 2-for-3 against Cincinnati on Sunday, running his spring training 8-for-13 with five extra base hits, seven RBI, two stolen bases and three strikeouts to three walks. Butler is an impressive athlete with the ability to impact the game with his powerful bat and speed on the bases. Butler has come a long way since he was drafted in the 6th round of the 2018 draft out of Westlake HS in Atlanta, Georgia. 

Ceddanne Rafaela, OF, Red Sox: Replaced Adam Duvall in centerfield and went 2-for-2 with a pair of singles. This was Rafaela’s first multi-hit game of the spring. A plus defender in centerfield, with above-average bat-to-ball skills and average power, added to the 40 man roster this offseason Rafaela has an opportunity to contribute for the Red Sox this season if opportunities arise in the Red Sox outfield.