The 2023 All-Defense Prospect Team
Last spring, Michael Harris II and Adley Rutschman featured prominently on the MLB Pipeline All-Defense Team, and solely months later, they proved how priceless their gloves and arms had been on the high stage of the sport.
Of all the main instruments, fielding could be what interprets best as prospects graduate to bona fide Major Leaguers. Have glove, will journey in spite of everything.
It’s additionally one of the crucial constant instruments, not less than for youthful gamers who’ve but to lose a step of their careers. That’s why sure members of this yr’s All-Defense class will look acquainted. Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong and Giants third baseman Casey Schmitt repeat from final yr’s version of the First Team, whereas Rockies first baseman Michael Toglia steps up from the Second Team. D-backs outfielder Corbin Carroll, Marlins shortstop Nasim Nuñez, Phillies outfielder Johan Rojas and Pirates third baseman Jared Triolo all seem on the secondary squad for a second consecutive season.
Our full All-Defense First Team contains 4 Top 100 Prospects (end-of-2022-season organizational rankings in parentheses).
C: Jeferson Quero, Brewers (No. 7)
The 20-year-old backstop was one of many talks of the Arizona Fall League, the place he threw out 46 % (11 of 24) of tried basestealers to steer all backstops. It was the newest in a string of robust defensive showings for Quero, who has constantly wowed Milwaukee officers along with his progress in blocking and receiving. His capability to work with a pitching employees additionally earns rave evaluations for somebody simply popping out of their teenagers. With his fast arm, Quero can look springloaded behind the plate when his plus arm is challenged by a basestealer, giving him all of the items to be a plus catcher for years to come back.
1B: Michael Toglia, Rockies (No. 15)
At a listed 6-foot-5, 226 kilos, Toglia provides his fellow infielders a big goal at first base, however that dimension isn’t an obstacle to the remainder of his recreation both. The 24-year-old might be gentle on his ft, present fast reactions and supply wonderful fingers to play the place close to the highest of the dimensions. He additionally possesses an above-average arm that may be put to good use when wanted on throws throughout the diamond. Colorado gave Toglia seems in proper discipline throughout his keep within the Majors, but when they maintain him at first base, he could turn into the primary Rockies first baseman since Todd Helton (2004) to win a Gold Glove.
2B: Robert Moore, Brewers (No. 17)
The son of former Royals exec Dayton Moore, the previous Arkansas star used a glove-first profile to turn into the 72nd total decide final July. While Moore isn’t a speedster, he’s quick to react on balls up the center and has the fingers to make a number of tough performs. Below-average arm energy probably limits him to second over shortstop, although he made 14 Minor League begins on the six as a result of Milwaukee loves his fielding capability a lot.
3B: Casey Schmitt, Giants (No. 6)
Speaking of could-be shortstops, Schmitt slid over to brief for 40 video games with High-A Eugene final yr out of roster necessity and held his personal regardless of below-average velocity. That’s how good his fingers, plus arm energy (courting again to his pitching days at San Diego State) and side-to-side vary might be on the grime, and it’s why he was a repeat choice for this place, in addition to a Minor League Gold Glove winner for his work throughout three ranges in 2022. If all goes properly, he may very well be San Francisco’s scorching hand on the scorching nook within the first half of this season.
SS: Ezequiel Tovar, Rockies (No. 2, MLB No. 27)
Flashy defenders get the headlines and the highlights. Smooth defenders pop up extra in analytics and inside scouting studies. Tovar is able to being each on any given night time. The 21-year-old makes use of his footwork to usually be in the fitting place on the proper time, and he handles his glove tremendously properly to both aspect. A plus arm turns out to be useful on shut performs, however the work finished forward of the throws lessens the burden on it too. Tovar was a top quality prospect on his protection alone earlier than final yr’s offensive breakout and now matches comfortably inside our Top 50 total prospects.
OF: Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs (No. 1, MLB No. 30)
Of anybody on this proficient listing, Crow-Armstrong appears likeliest to win a number of, not only one, Gold Gloves sometime as a result of his protection is simply that particular. Watch Single-A Myrtle Beach or High-A South Bend highlights from 2022, and it wasn’t all that unusual that you just’d see the 2020 first-rounder fly from outdoors of the body to trace down a ball within the right- or left-center hole, such was Crow-Armstrong’s vary in his first totally wholesome Minor League season. An above-average arm helped him decide up six outfield assists, but it surely’s that mixture of instincts and velocity that usually leaves opponents, followers and evaluators with their jaws on the ground.
OF: Druw Jones, D-backs (No. 2, MLB No. 11)
Because of a left shoulder harm suffered shortly after going second total within the Draft, Jones is the one First Team honoree but to play a Minor League recreation. No matter. His beginner studies had been so glowing that he instructions a spot on this listing that’s extra about projection than it’s pure professional efficiency. Much like his father Andruw, Jones covers tons of floor in heart with environment friendly routes and plus-plus velocity. A 65-grade arm makes him a candidate for heart or proper, and that’ll be essential if and when he’s competing with Alek Thomas and Second Teamer Corbin Carroll for outfield time within the desert.
OF: Ceddane Rafaela, Red Sox (No. 3, MLB No. 96)
It felt like a weekly incidence with Double-A Portland final summer season. A ball could be hit to an Eastern League outfield fence. Rafaela would come flying in from his spot in heart discipline and snatch stated ball simply earlier than it might drop for an extra-base hit, both as a homer or a double to the hole. Not dangerous for a 21-year-old who simply took to heart discipline in 2021. Rafaela’s agility and willingness to dig deep to trace down the ball has moved him everywhere in the diamond in his early profession, however all of that defensive prowess may characteristic greatest in heart the place he has probably the most room to indicate what makes him particular.
C: Drew Romo, Rockies (No. 4, MLB No. 63)
1B: Triston Casas, Red Sox (No. 2, MLB No. 25)
2B: Peyton Wilson, Royals (No. 21)
3B: Jared Triolo, Pirates (No. 24)
SS: Nasim Nuñez, Marlins (No. 23)
OF: Jorge Barrosa, D-backs (No. 18)
OF: Corbin Carroll, D-backs (No. 1, MLB No. 3)
OF: Johan Rojas, Phillies (No. 5)
