Prospect Report: Michael Toglia Will Not Go Quietly

By Geoff Pontes
on March 28, 2023

Michael Toglia, 1B/OF, Rockies: The 2019 first-rounder went 4-for-4 with two doubles, a home run, four runs and three RBIs on Monday. He’s hitting .288/.366/.534 with four home runs and six doubles over 25 games this spring. He's unlikely to break camp with the Rockies but could get promoted before long.

Edouard Julien, 2B, Twins: Despite being optioned on March 14 to Triple-A, Julien has continued to rake. On Monday he went 2-for-3 with two runs as he got the start at second base. With one of the best combinations of on-base ability, feel to hit, power and speed in the minors, Julien’s biggest hurdle is his lack of defensive value.

Canaan Smith-Njigba, OF, Pirates: On Monday Smith-Njigba went 2-for-4 with a double, and he’s hitting .326/.404/.522 over 19 games this spring. The outfielder made his big league debut in 2022 and has a real shot to break camp with the Pirates. Smith-Njigba has had an up-and-down minor league career that’s been marred by injuries, but his combination of solid plate skills and at least average power could make him a regular with the Pirates in 2023. At 23 years old he still has plenty of upside.

Eury Perez , RHP, Marlins: One of the top pitching prospects in baseball, Perez started yesterday in an intrasquad scrimmage. Despite a couple of hard-hit balls in play, Perez showcased his premium stuff with an element of pitchability. His four-seam fastball sat 96-98 mph, touching 99 mph with average spin rates between 2,600 and 2,700 rpm. He mixed in a cut fastball in the mid 90s, a true cutter in the high 80s to low 90s, a mid-to-high-80s slider, a changeup that flashed plus and a slower, downer curveball.

Perez has a unique ability to show multiple variations of his fastball with a variety of secondary looks to keep hitters off balance. When he attacks the top of the zone with his four-seam fastball he’s nearly unhittable. At just 19 years old he provides a world of promise and should start the season in Double-A. A midseason promotion to the major leagues isn’t out of the question, as Perez possesses some of the best stuff of any pitcher in the minor leagues.

Jarlin Susana , RHP, Nationals: Part of the package that went the Nationals way in the Juan Soto trade, Susana possesses one of the hardest fastballs in the minors—he regularly touches triple digits. Starting on Monday during an intrasquad scrimmage, Susana showed off his powerful four-seamer, hitting 100 mph multiple times and topping out at 102 mph. He sat in the high 90s, mixing in a low-90s slider and a changeup. His command was scattered and he didn’t miss many bats, but Susana has plenty of time to improve the repeatability of his motion and learn to work around the zone with greater frequency.

Drew Gilbert, OF, Astros: During intrasquad scrimmages on Sunday afternoon, Gilbert was a barrel machine—he homered to right field in one at-bat and singled later in the game. He patrolled center field and showed no ill effects from the injury that ended his 2022 debut. Poised to breakout in 2023, Gilbert’s short, concise swing and explosive bat speed should allow him to do damage without sacrificing approach or contact. A high-effort player, Gilbert plays with a fiery intensity that could make him a fan favorite with the Astros for years to come.