26. Aaron Sanchez – RHP – Blue Jays – Age: 21 – Level: A+ Sanchez has rough command at the moment which may hold him back but I love the plus power fastball and improved secondary offerings. Has #1/#2 ceiling.
27. Taylor Guerreri – RHP – Rays – Age: 20 – Level: A – I’m bullish on Guerreri who is far from the majors but I think could be in line for a breakout season, establishing himself as a Top 25 guy next year. Throws a plus 92-95 MPH fastball with an outpitch curve.
Martinez Bullpen Sesh
28. Carlos Martinez – RHP – Cardinals – Age: 21 – Level: AA – I really like Martinez pitch ability and makeup. He’s undersized but don’t let that fool you. He brings a quality mid 90’s fastball and power curve. Needs to improve durability but has #2 starter upside.
29. Gary Sanchez – C – Yankees – Age: 20 – Level: AA – 50/50 chance at sticking at C. I think he can as an offensive minded catcher, with potential to hit for elite power and average if he improves his plate discipline and overall durability.
30. Tyler Skaggs – LHP – Diamondbacks – Age: 21 – Level: AAA Not as high on Skaggs as others. I think he’s more of a solid #3, Matt Harrison type, than the potential #1/#2 others project as his ceiling.
31. Anthony Rendon – 3B – Nationals – Age: 23 – Level: AA – Excellent defender. Lightning quick bat speed gives him 25 HR upside. Great batting eye allows for high OBP. Will he stay healthy enough for it all to matter?
Teheran in action with the Braves
32. Julio Teheran – RHP – Braves – Age: 22 – MADE MLB ROSTER – Apparently, Teheran has turned a corner this Spring showing signs of the pitcher that ranked #3 on this list two years ago. I may end up having him too low. Still has #1/#2 upside but I’m not entirely sold he reaches it just yet.
33. Jonathan Singleton – 1B – Astros – Age: 21 – Level: AAA – Singleton has a chance to be a very productive 1B who draws a crapload of walks and can put out 25-30 home runs in his prime. Could be up with the Astros after the all star break if he obliterates AAA pitching.
34. Archie Bradley – RHP – Diamondbacks – Age: 20 – Level: A+ Dylan Bundy’s high school rival. Great fastball velocity and potential plus secondaries. Control and command need serious work though. Far from a finished product.
35. Albert Almora – CF – Cubs – Age: 19 – Level: A – Reminds me of Christian Yelich when he was drafted. Has to prove himself over a full season but Almora has a tremendous natural feel for hitting. How his power and base running ability develop will determine his upside.
36. Jackie Bradley, Jr. – CF – Red Sox – Age: 22 – MADE MLB ROSTER – Bradley, former Gamecock CWS hero, brings a nice combination of OBP, speed, and plus defense, and should be able to put out 15 HR a season. Reminds me of the good Coco Crisp. My pick for A.L ROY.
Dodgers have 40 mil invested in this guy, or what Magic Johnson calls ‘chump change’
37. Yasiel Puig – OF – Dodgers – Age: 22 – Level: AAA – After a torrid Spring, Puig has generated some buzz in Dodgerland as a potential impact regular with tremendous power. Needs to work on plate discipline and keep weight under control or he’ll end up like washing out like Wily Mo Pena.
38. Nick Castellanos – 3B – Tigers – Age: 21 – Level: AA – Doubt he sticks at third. Also, have questions about his plate discipline but he has a great hit tool with potential for 20-25 HR power. High ceiling as an impact hitter but some bust potential too.
39. Chris Archer – RHP – Rays – Age: 24 – Level: AAA – Love Archer’s upside. His two seam fastball and slider combo is lethal. However, his ability to command them isn’t. If he can put it all together, has #1/#2 upside. If not, he’ll become a potential all star closer.
40. Jorge Soler – RF – Cubs – Age: 21 – Level: A+ I’m impressed with Soler, a big D.R. signee for the Cubs who brings light tower power and a rocket arm in RF to the table. I think he can hit for average too.
41. Trevor Rosenthal – RHP – Cardinals – Age: 23 – MADE MLB ROSTER – Rosy returns to the pen where he dominated last September in the Cardinals successful playoff push. Has potential down the road as a #2/#3 if he refines his secondaries enough to compliment his power mid 90’s fastball.
42. Gregory Polanco – OF – Pirates – Age: 21 – Level: A+ The raw, 5 tool talent Dominican had a huge breakout season at Low A last year. If success translates forward to higher levels I could see him developing into a Dexter Fowler type player.
Mike Olt in action for the Rangers
43. Mike Olt – 3B – Rangers – Age: 24 – Level: AAA – Not as big on him as others. He’ll be productive and hit for 20 – 30 HR power. But, I question his ability to keep the K’s under control as well as remain at 3B long term. Should be a solid everyday player.
44. Mason Williams – CF – Yankees – Age: 21 – Level: AA – Could be overrating him some but Williams is a premium athlete with great natural feel for hitting. Needs to show more durability. Reminds me of former Yankees CF prospect Austin Jackson.
45. David Dahl – CF – Rockies – Age: 19 – Level: A – Another 2012 high school draftee who absolutely destroyed short season ball. Reminds me of a potential Colby Rasmus.
46. Alex Meyer – RHP – Twins – Age: 23 – Level: AA – The big 6’9″ righty brings a mid 90’s fastball and much improved command from his college days at Kentucky. Potential mid rotation guy. A nice get from the Nationals for Denard Span.
Nicolino, the big prize from the Blue Jays mega deal
47. Justin Nicolino – LHP – Marlins – Age: 21 – Level: A+ – Really like Nicolino. Stuff doesn’t wow you but it’s all solid, and he just knows how to freakin pitch. At age 21, could end up exceeding current #3/#4 expectations.
48. Danny Hultzen – LHP – Mariners – Age: 23 – Level: AAA – Not as big on Hultzen as I was last year. Looks like a solid #3 starter at best. Needs to sharpen control issues that plagued him at AAA last year. The fastball and slider are still quality pitches.
49. Oswaldo Arcia – RF – Twins – Age: 22 – Level: AA – Short, stocky with good pop and a strong arm in RF. Reminds of a Dominican version of former twins OF Jason Kubel.
50. Noah Syndergaard – RHP – Mets – Age: 20 – Level: AA – Big Syndergaard fan. His 91-94 MPH fastball and plus changeup combo with good command gives him #2/#3 upside IF he can develop a better breaking ball.
– Prospects 51 – 75 here
Slade's Top Orioles Prospects 