Recently, MLB released a listing of the Top MLB prospects for this year. In this article, we’ll take a look at the first 25 names on that list and discuss some of the best potentials mentioned in the article.
The son and namesake of former AL MVP and baseball legend Vladimir Guerrero was the top international prospect of his class when the Toronto Blue Jays inked him in 2015. After three years, the now 19-year old third baseman has established himself as the best hitter in the Minor League.
Last year, he led the Minors with a .381 batting average as well as topping MiLB in slugging at .636 and OPS at 1.073. Guerrero is currently slashing .211/.250/.316 without a home run in 19 at-bats for the Blue Jays in the current Spring Training. But don’t be fooled by those numbers because that’s just such a small sample size. Junior’s bat is MLB ready and while he will be sent back to Triple A, expect his return to Buffalo at the start of the season to be a short one.
After being ranked among the Top 30 international prospects in 2015, Tatis signed with the Chicago White Sox in 2015 but was one the move barely a year later as he was sent to the San Diego Padres as part of the James Shield trade. In 2017, the son of former 11-year MLB veteran Fernando Tatis became the first 18-year old in the history of the Class A Midwest League to record 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases. He made the move to Double A and posted 16 homers and 16 stolen bases in 88 games before undergoing thumb surgery.
Tatis isn’t expected to be on the Padres’ opening day roster though. But the 20 year old has shown us glimpses of what lies ahead. He’s batting 7-22 (.318) with a couple of home runs. With San Diego recently signing Manny Machado to a ten-year deal worth $300M, the Padres’ left side on the infield should soon be one of the deadliest in the Majors.
Along with Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Jimenez is one of the most hyped hitting prospects in recent memory. After the Chicago Cubs signed him out of the Dominican Republic in 2012, he progressed to win the Class A Midwest League MVP in 2016 before being traded to the White Sox the following year as the main piece in the trade for Jose Quintana.
Despite a change in organization and battling a left pectoral and abductor muscle injury, he posted career highs in the three slash categories in 2018 by going .334/.387/.577. Likewise, his 22 home runs last year was a personal best for him. At the current spring training, he’s been struggling at 3-20 with seven strikeouts. He drilled his first homer though last Tuesday and remains one of the elite hitters around.
Victor Robles signed with the Washington Nationals as an international free agent in 2013. After an impressive stint in the minors, he was promoted to the Major League in 2017 and became the youngest player to play in the 2017 MLB season. He made it to the Nationals’ 2017 playoff roster and played two games in the 2017 National League Divisional Series. He opened 2018 in Triple A and then got hurt in his fourth game with a hyperextended elbow which put him in the DL. Robles returned in July and finished his with a .288/.348/.525 with Washington.
In the current preseason, Robles is batting 8-21 with a double, a homerun and 5 RBIs and is surely giving Michael A. Taylor a run for the starting center fielder job. Taylor is batting 9-17 with three doubles, one homerun and 4RBIs. With the Bryce Harper era officially over, Robles’ time in the nation’s capital is surely coming soon.
Lewis was the top pick in the 2017 draft which came as a surprise to some. But he quickly silenced the rumors with a summer league debut at the Midwest League and then by becoming the youngest player in the Florida State League at 19 years of age. He homered thrice and helped Fort Myers win the FSL title while posting an OPS of .803 between Single A and High A last season.
He has yet to suit up for spring action because of an oblique strain but we already saw the potential last year. Lewis should get another promotion in the minors this season. And yes, a call up in September is even a realistic possibility. But given his pedigree and skillset, having a spot in the Twins’ starting lineup by 2021 appears to be the play for this 19 year old.
So there’s your Top 25 prospects for 2019 according to MLB.com. To view the rest of the list, you can go directly to their site. Now you may ask what the importance of this list is and I will tell you right now that this is a glimpse of tomorrow because these youngsters are the future stars of baseball.
According to Baseball America, 61% of the of the MLB All-Stars from the past decade (2009-2018) were formerly among those listed in the Top 100 prospects. Likewise, 72% of multiple-time All-Star position played in the past decade were former Top 100 prospects and 52% of multiple-time All-Star pitchers were former ex-Top 100 prospects.
When you catch the next Spring Training game, take note of these prospects because these are the players who will carry our favorite professional sports league.
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