It’s been a long road. Construction of these lists begins in June, just ahead of the draft. I take all the notes from different prospects I’ve compiled, both this year and in the past, and make a list of every noteworthy prospect I can think of. In earnest, the list begins at about 60 prospects long. Then we add newly drafted prospects with their scouting reports. Then the fun begins: scouting, both in person and over MiLB.tv, talking to the prospects themselves, talking to families, scouts and also trusting your own observation.
We constantly observe trends, what the prospect is working on, and statistics, whether or not this progress shows up in the box score. Slowly but surely, up to October, the list is narrowed down, until we have our thirty. Admittedly, this year was more difficult than most mostly because the cupboard is a little more bare than we’re used to. So it took some real homework.
Before we unveil the Top 30, let’s begin with those who were on the bubble, but just missed the cut.
LHP Jonah Wesely – Jonah has the mentality and pitches to be a major league reliever. That much was clear this year before Tommy John surgery. We’re looking forward to seeing him back on the mound late next year or shortly thereafter.
CF Kyle Survance – Injured early on, so I couldn’t get the sort of read I was hoping for. But the early numbers do pop out, and the scouting report from college indicated he plays excellent defense, has good bat to ball skills and can really fly on the bases. I’m looking forward to seeing this next year.
OF Michael Hermosillo – Brings a good OBP, speed, and defense into the mix as a young 20-year-old. Should repeat A Ball next year.
3B Zach Houchins – Solid power, trouble with OBP, can capably play 3B and SS at times.
And now your 2016 MWAH Top 30 Prospects:
- C Taylor Ward – B
- 3B Kyle Kubitza – B
- OF Jahmai Jones – B-
- C Jett Bandy – B-
- RHP Joe Gatto – C+/B-
- RHP Grayson Long – C+/B-
- 3B Kaleb Cowart – C+/B-
- OF Chad Hinshaw – C+/B-
- SS Roberto Baldoquin – C+
- 2B Alex Yarbrough – C+
- LHP Nate Smith – C+
- RHP Victor Alcantara – C+
- OF Natanael Delgado – C+
- OF Ayendy Perez – C+
- OF Brendon Sanger – C+
- RHP Kyle McGowin – C+
- 3B Sherman Johnson – C+
- RHP Eduardo Paredes – C+
- OF Bo Way – C
- SS David Fletcher – C
- LHP Greg Mahle – C
- 2B Tim Arakawa – C
- RHP Jeremy Rhoades – C
- OF Alex Abbott – C
- LHP Hunter Green – C
- OF Jared Foster – C
- RHP Jake Jewell – C
- SS Julio Garcia – C
- 2B Andrew Daniel – C
- RHP Samuel Pastrone – C
* Before exceeding his Rookie Status, RHP Nick Tropeano would have ranked between Taylor Ward and Kyle Kubitza.
* Before being traded to the Atlanta Braves, LHP Sean Newcomb was the top prospect, by a wide margin.
* Before being traded to the Atlanta Braves, RHP Chris Ellis would have ranked between Kyle Kubitza and Jahmai Jones.
Prospect Grading System
A – Elite prospect that projects to be an all-star caliber major leaguer someday.
B – Above average prospect that projects to be an average or better major leaguer.
C – Average prospect that may or may not be a future big leaguer. If they do make it, projects to be a reserve or role player.
D – Below average prospect, unlikely he will ever reach the major leagues.
F – Probably not going to be long for the game of baseball.
Top Tools
Fastball – RHP Victor Alcantara (A)
Curveball – LHP Nate Smith (B)
Slider – RHP Jeremy Rhoades (A)
Change Up – LHP Name Smith (B)
Hit – 3B Kyle Kubitza (C)
Power – 3B Kyle Kubitza (B)
Discipline – C Taylor Ward (A)
Speed – OF Chad Hinshaw (B+)
Arm – 3B Kaleb Cowart/C Taylor Ward (A+)
Glove – C Jett Bandy (A)
Range – SS David Fletcher (A)
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Tune in here every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday as we make our way through the individual prospect reports. We’ll start with #30, RHP Samuel Pastrone, this Wednesday.
Last year’s Top 30 can be found here.
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