Here is MLB’s No. 1 prospect at each position
MLB Pipeline has put out its lists of the highest 10 prospects at every place main as much as Thursday evening’s reveal of the 2023 Top 100 Prospects listing on MLB Network at 7 p.m. ET/4 PT.
As we await the Top 100, right here is the No. 1 prospect at every place.
Catcher: Francisco Álvarez, Mets
There doubtless isn’t one other prospect in baseball with extra energy than Álvarez, who hit 24 homers as a youngster in A ball in 2021, then 27 extra at age 20 on the higher Minor League ranges final 12 months earlier than making his MLB debut for the Mets on Sept. 30. The Venezuelan backstop enters 2023 nonetheless solely 21 years previous with a Major League-ready bat, and if he continues to refine his work behind the plate, he has the potential to be a multi-time All-Star. Complete listing »
First base: Triston Casas, Red Sox
Casas by no means topped 20 homers in a Minor League season, however he creates large uncooked pop to all fields with a mixture of bat velocity, power and leverage in his large 6-foot-4 body. Notably, 5 of his 15 hits left the yard after he made his MLB debut in 2022. He ought to hit for each common and energy, and even on days when he doesn’t do this, he can nonetheless impression the sport defensively. All of that’s the reason Boston has cleared out area to make Casas its Opening Day first baseman coming into the upcoming season. Complete listing »
Second base: Termarr Johnson, Pirates
The fourth general choose within the 2022 MLB Draft, Johnson has the makings of a perennial All-Star. Scouts thought-about him to be one of the best highschool hitter in years, with one saying he mixed Wade Boggs’ plate self-discipline with Vladimir Guerrero Sr.’s bat-to-ball abilities. Listed 5-foot-7 and 175 kilos, Johnson isn’t bodily imposing, however he tasks to provide plus energy. And although his common arm and quickness dictated a transfer from shortstop to second base, he has the makings of a stable defender at his new place. Complete listing »
Third base: Gunnar Henderson, Orioles
Henderson is simply 21, however he made his debut for the Orioles in 2022 and confirmed his massive league readiness, slashing .259/.348/.440 over 132 plate appearances. He’s simply scratching the floor of tapping into his energy from the left facet of the plate, and he affords above-average velocity as effectively. Henderson’s athleticism and plus arm might make him a stable shortstop regardless of his dimension, however he has Gold Glove potential at third, the place he performed principally for Baltimore final 12 months. Complete listing »
Shortstop: Anthony Volpe, Yankees
Early considerations about Volpe’s means to hit upper-level pitching had been eased when he took off in June at Double-A final 12 months. Despite his sluggish begin, he grew to become the primary 20-homer, 50-steal Minor Leaguer since Andruw Jones in 1995. Volpe has a right-handed stroke geared for loft and produces excessive exit velocities and energy to all fields. While there are some arm considerations, he’s a gradual defensive presence at shortstop, too. Complete listing »
Outfield: Corbin Carroll, D-backs
Carroll affords one of the best mix of hitting means and velocity amongst all prospects. He confirmed off his wheels after Arizona known as him up final August, posting the very best common dash velocity (30.7 ft/sec) of any massive leaguer in 2022. At a naked minimal, Carroll ought to hit for common, create havoc on the bases and contend for Gold Gloves in middle subject. How a lot energy he produces will decide how massive a star he turns into — and he notably slammed 4 homers in his first 32 video games within the Majors. Complete listing »
Right-handed pitcher: Andrew Painter, Phillies
The 2021 thirteenth general choose gave everybody a style of his ceiling with a 1.56 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 155 strikeouts in 103 2/3 innings throughout three ranges in his first full season, and he has the stuff to again up the outcomes with a fastball that may contact triple-digits, a plus high-spin slider and two extra pitches in his curve and alter that maintain hitters guessing. The 6-foot-7 righty’s means to pitch within the zone improved because the season wore on, and his management may very well be plus-plus by the tip of 2023 if he continues on this trajectory. Complete listing »
Left-handed pitcher: Kyle Harrison, Giants
Harrison tasks as a frontline starter due to his three-pitch repertoire that features a effectively above-average fastball, a sweeping slider and an bettering mid-80s changeup with fade and sink. He’s nonetheless studying to harness his stuff, although his means to overlook bats within the strike zone with all three of his choices implies that he does not must find them with precision. Complete listing »
