Every organization takes pride in its ability to identify and develop talent. We're the same way at MLB Pipeline, especially when it comes to predicting future breakout prospects.
Every organization takes pride in its ability to identify and develop talent. We're the same way at MLB Pipeline, especially when it comes to predicting future breakout prospects.
AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST
Blue Jays: Simeon Woods Richardson (Kingsport 2018), RHP (No. 6) -- The Mets' second-round pick from the 2018 Draft pitched better than his numbers suggest he did at Class A Columbia, and he made six impressive starts for Class A Advanced Dunedin after joining the Blue Jays in the Marcus Stroman Trade Deadline deal to finish his first full season with a 126/24 K/BB and .238 BAA in 106 2/3 innings. The 19-year-old righty is a high-ceiling pitching prospect, armed with a plus fastball-curveball combo, an advanced changeup and a mature overall feel for his craft that could help him move quickly through the Minors.
Rays: Shane Baz (Bristol 2018; Princeton 2018), RHP (No. 7, MLB No. 94) -- Acquired from the Pirates as the PTBNL in the lopsided Chris Archer deal, Baz spent all of 2019 at Class A Bowling Green in the Midwest League, pitching to a 2.99 ERA with 87 strikeouts and 37 walks in 81 1/3 innings (17 starts). He was especially good down the stretch, too, posting a 2.22 ERA over his final six regular-season starts for the Hot Rods before turning in an eye-opening performance in the Arizona Fall League. With a fastball that can touch triple digits, a devastating slider and a raw but promising changeup, the 20-year-old right-hander could develop into a front-of-the-rotation force if he can improve his control and command.
AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL
Twins: Wander Javier (Elizabethton 2017), SS (No. 7) -- While it's true the Twins didn't protect Javier on their 40-man roster this offseason, that was a relatively low-risk move given the shortstop hasn't played above A ball. A torn labrum cost him the 2018 season and he struggled once he got to full-season ball for the first time in late May of 2019 (.177/.278/.323). But he still has tremendous tools, the ones the Twins saw when they gave him $4 million to sign in July 2015.
NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST
Braves: Bryce Ball (Danville 2019), 1B -- Ball spent two years in junior college before transferring to Dallas Baptist for his junior year. The Braves nabbed him in the 24th round of last June's Draft after he hit .325/.443/.614 with 18 homers and then he hit 17 more combined in the Appalachian and South Atlantic Leagues during his pro debut. He might have the most power in the system and has already shown the ability to get to it.
Mets: Francisco Alvarez (Kingsport 2019), C (No. 5) -- Alvarez's $2.7 million bonus in July 2018 was one of the top totals handed out during the 2018-19 international period, and it wasn't long thereafter that he began to receive rave reviews from those inside the organization. The Mets challenged Alvarez last summer in his pro debut, assigning him straight to the Rookie Gulf Coast League before a quick promotion to the Appalachian League, and the then-17-year-old backstop responded by slashing .312/.407/.510 with seven homers in 42 games between the two stops. The Venezuela native is already perhaps the best pure hitter in New York's system, with defensive chops behind the plate that could make him an impactful two-way catcher.
