Here are the Top 10 3B prospects for 2023
MLB Pipeline will reveal its 2023 Top 100 Prospects checklist at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, Jan. 26, with a one-hour present on MLB Network and MLB.com. Leading as much as the discharge of the Top 100, we’ll study baseball’s high 10 prospects at every place.
There are a whole lot of adjustments to this 12 months’s Top 10 third base prospects checklist in comparison with final 12 months. While there have been solely two graduations (Jose Miranda and Elehuris Montero), there have been a number of place shifts, with Jordan Walker and Nolan Jones now outfielders and Elly De La Cruz extra of a shortstop.
That leaves Brett Baty, who was No. 1 on this checklist in 2022, because the highest-ranked hold-over, topping Curtis Mead, Josh Jung and Miguel Vargas. The new No. 1 is a position-changer himself. While Gunnar Henderson undoubtedly might nonetheless play a stable shortstop, he noticed extra time at third when he acquired to the large leagues and that’s possible the place he’ll play in 2023. He’s joined by a pair of 2022 first-round picks on the checklist together with a number of different new names.
If you want change, you received’t have to attend lengthy. Henderson and Baty ought to have loads of alternatives to be on their Opening Day rosters and Henderson is a front-runner for AL Rookie of the Year. The total high 5 right here have ETAs of 2023, so there might be extra turnover because the 12 months goes on.
The Top 10 (ETA)
1. Gunnar Henderson, Orioles (2023)
2. Brett Baty, Mets (2023)
3. Curtis Mead, Rays (2023)
4. Josh Jung, Rangers (2023)
5. Miguel Vargas, Dodgers (2023)
6. Jacob Berry, Marlins (2025)
7. Cam Collier, Reds (2025)
8. Colt Keith, Tigers (2024)
9. Coby Mayo, Orioles (2024)
10. Deyvison De Los Santos, D-backs (2024)
Complete checklist »
Hit: Mead, Vargas (65)
All Mead has completed is hit just about wherever he’s been, with a .306/.376/.517 line. He had a .922 OPS on the higher ranges in 2022 after hitting .313 within the Arizona Fall League in 2021… sense a development? Vargas has equally mashed at each cease, with a Minor League profession line of .313/.390/.488. Rapidly advancing up ranges didn’t harm him — he hit .304 in Triple-A final 12 months — en path to his first callup to the large leagues.
Power: Henderson, Vargas (65)
Henderson remains to be solely 21 and regardless that he slugged .531 within the Minors a 12 months in the past, he’s simply scratching the floor of tapping into his energy from the left aspect of the plate and he hit the ball very laborious throughout his huge league debut. Vargas’ pop began exhibiting up for actual in 2021 when he hit 23 homers and slugged .526, then slugged .511 in Triple-A final 12 months and that plus hit instrument means he’s going to get to the ability persistently.
Run: Henderson (55)
Henderson is a shortstop taking part in third, so it needs to be no shock he leads on this class. He’s able to registering plus run occasions and went 22-for-25 in stolen-base makes an attempt within the Minor Leagues in 2022 and has a minimum of 20-20 potential.
Arm: Henderson, Mayo (70)
The two Orioles each have absolute hoses for arms. Henderson could make robust, correct throws from in every single place on the infield and from all angles. If he’s taking part in third, then Mayo might need to maneuver elsewhere, however for now followers can watch him throw lasers from the recent nook within the Minors.
Field: Henderson (55)
This grade is perhaps gentle for Henderson at third. He’s a stable defender at shortstop however has the potential to finally be a plus defender from this spot on the diamond.
Highest ceiling: Henderson
He’s solely 21 and already clearly prepared for the large leagues. There’s a Rookie of the Year Award doubtlessly in his instant future and a number of All-Star appearances and different {hardware} on the horizon.
Highest flooring: Baty
Putting Henderson right here might additionally make sense, however the certainty individuals have in Baty’s bat will get the nod. It’s doable he results in the outfield, or finally first base, however that left-handed swing goes to play, very similar to it did when he posted a .943 OPS within the Minors final 12 months.
Rookie of the Year candidate: Henderson
Who else? Others on this checklist will play within the huge leagues, however Henderson goes to play day-after-day, in an ever-improving lineup, and has all the flexibility to stroll away with the award.
Highest riser: De Los Santos
De Los Santos wasn’t even on the D-backs’ Top 30 on the finish of the 2021 season, however was on this Top 10 on the conclusion of final 12 months. He performed throughout three ranges of the Minors, ending in Double-A, and whereas he must work on his strategy, his .306/.348/.499 line with 22 homers and 106 RBIs as a youngster level to a really brilliant future.
Humblest starting: Mead
The Phillies signed Mead out of Australia near the tip of the 2017-18 worldwide signing interval for a comparatively humble $200,000 bonus. He hadn’t even left the Phillies’ complicated when he was traded to the Rays and he began taking off in his introduction to full-season ball in 2021 and hasn’t stopped hitting since.
Most to show: Jung
He turns 25 this 12 months and can get his likelihood within the huge leagues because the Rangers’ Opening Day third baseman. It’s not that he hasn’t carried out, with a .990 OPS in 2021 and slugging .540 in 2022 to earn his first name to the large leagues. But he’s had hassle staying wholesome, with 78 video games performed in ’21 and solely 31 within the Minors final 12 months.
Keep an eye fixed on: Casey Schmitt, Giants
Schmitt’s first full season in 2021 was comparatively non-descript over 64 video games, however issues clicked offensively final 12 months, with 21 homers and a .293/.365/.489 whereas touching Triple-A to associate with simply plus protection at third.
