Following the release of the 2019 Top 100 Prospects list on January 26, Jonathan Mayo has highlighted 20 prospects set to make an immediate impact in 2019. His list features five former Appalachian League players, headlined by baseball's number one prospect Vlad Guerrero Jr. (Bluefield Blue Jays, 2016). Others to
Following the release of the 2019 Top 100 Prospects list on January 26, Jonathan Mayo has highlighted 20 prospects set to make an immediate impact in 2019. His list features five former Appalachian League players, headlined by baseball's number one prospect Vlad Guerrero Jr. (Bluefield Blue Jays, 2016). Others to watch with Appy League ties include Forrest Whitley (Greeneville Astros, 2016), Nicky Lopez (Burlington Royals, 2016), Alex Reyes (Johnson City Cardinals, 2013), and Mitch Keller (Bristol Pirates, 2015).
More from Mayo:
American League
1. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 3B, Blue Jays (1): Who doesn't want to see the best prospect in baseball, and one of the best hitting prospects we've ever seen, be in Toronto's Opening Day lineup? Even if that doesn't happen, Vlad Jr. is about as close to a slam dunk in terms of making an impact, and the second he makes his big league debut, he automatically becomes a serious Rookie of the Year candidate. And he won't be alone. Top 100 prospect Danny Jansen will be there from the start of the season, while guys like Bo Bichette and Cavan Biggio could find their way to Toronto as well.
4. Forrest Whitley , RHP, Astros (7): With all of the winning the Astros have been doing of late, they shouldn't have this many prospects ready to make an impact in Houston this year. Anyone who saw Whitley pitch in the Arizona Fall League knows his stuff is ready to attack big league hitters. And he could be joined by Kyle Tucker , Yordan Alvarez and Josh James in 2019.
10. Nicky Lopez , SS/2B, Royals: There doesn't appear to be a starting spot for Lopez up the middle in Kansas City right now, but Lopez's versatility -- he can play short and second, and has played third and the outfield as an amateur -- combined with his advanced approach, could land this overachiever in the big leagues a la Whit Merrifield 's rookie season.
National League
5. Alex Reyes , RHP, Cardinals (33): After working his way back from Tommy John surgery, Reyes tore his lat, ending his 2018 season really before it began. He's healthy and has been throwing; now it's just a matter of figuring out what role he's going to serve on the big league staff.
8. Mitch Keller , RHP, Pirates (19): Keller will get a nice long look this spring but will undoubtedly start the year back in Triple-A, where he scuffled initially. The Pirates tend to be cautious with their young pitching prospects, but if he excels and the back of the big league rotation falters, he could get the call.
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Complete article from MLB.com: Here are 20 impact rookies for 2019
