Check out 10 prospects who JUST missed the Top 100 list
When we unveiled our Top 100 Prospects checklist final month, there was important fervor round who wasn’t included among the many recreation’s better of the perfect. Alas, solely 100 gamers might make the checklist — for now. As graduations happen and performances fluctuate, that group will see some important shuffling because the yr goes on.
On the MLB Pipeline Podcast, Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo (joined by co-host Jason Ratliff) broke down a handful of gamers who made a formidable case. To take heed to a full breakdown, take a look at this week’s episode.
Here are 10 prospects who got here tantalizing shut to creating the lower this time round:
Cade Horton, RHP — Cubs
To say that Horton’s inventory rose meteorically previous to the 2022 Draft could be no understatement: the righty was a two-way participant at Oklahoma in his lone collegiate marketing campaign, posting a 7.94 ERA through the common season. But with an uptick in velocity — peaking at 98 mph — that coincided with restoration from Tommy John surgical procedure, the Sooner State native went on a College World Series run that propelled him to turning into the seventh general choose.
While Chicago was conservative in its determination to rein in Horton after the Draft, Callis thinks the North Siders discovered themselves a soon-to-be Top 100 prospect.
“I thought he was the best college pitcher in last year’s Draft,” he mentioned. “I think he’s going to shoot into the prospect consciousness pretty quickly this spring when he gets the chance to start pitching in pro games.”
Connor Norby, 2B/OF — Orioles
The Orioles already lead the sector with eight Top 100 prospects, but some evaluators consider Norby ought to have elevated their lead even additional. Having swatted a Baltimore farm system-high 29 homers final yr, the 2021 second-rounder finds himself on the precipice of the massive leagues on the again of his ample energy potential.
Yainer Diaz, C/1B — Astros
Diaz’s first full season within the Astros’ system noticed him earn a SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game invite together with making sizable development behind the dish, all whereas he mashed 25 homers and picked up 96 RBIs throughout two ranges en path to a giant league callup. While Houston targeted on making an attempt so as to add offensive thump on the catcher spot finally yr’s Trade Deadline, they’ve an inside choice as quickly as Day 1 of the 2023 yr.
“I wouldn’t be shocked if at some point this year — maybe even Opening Day — to have an offense/defense platoon with the Astros with Diaz and Martín Maldonado,” Callis mentioned.
Cole Young, SS — Mariners
Small pattern sizes may be tempting to overhype, significantly in the case of first-round alternatives comparable to Young. But the twenty first general choice within the 2022 Draft hit in droves final summer time between Rookie-level and Single-A contest at simply 19 years previous, gathering 22 knocks in 17 video games.
Seattle has simply two representatives on the Top 100 Prospects checklist to start the season (catcher Harry Ford and right-hander Bryce Miller), however Mayo was succinct in what he sees for Young’s rapid future:
“I believe he’s going to play his approach into the Top 100 sooner or later throughout this season.”
Junior Caminero, 3B/SS — Rays
Unearthing prospect gems has been the title of the Rays’ recreation for the higher a part of the previous decade and Caminero may very well be the most recent proverbial diamond within the tough.
Acquired in November 2021 from Cleveland, Caminero performed his approach into an affiliate-ball debut simply after turning 19 years previous this previous season. After posting a 137 wRC+ in a 26-game stint with Single-A Charleston, the Dominican native went down underneath to Australia for winter ball and clubbed 14 homers in 39 contests, whereas plating 37 runs and posting a .981 OPS.
Edouard Julien, 2B — Twins
While a standout efficiency within the Arizona Fall League didn’t propel Julien to Top 100 preseason prospect standing, incomes Breakout Player of the Year honors on the autumn circuit made the Canadian’s inventory rise in a approach few prospects loved over the previous six months.
There are few questions in regards to the bat: Julien posted a .925 OPS in 113 video games at Double-A Wichita this yr, and his 208 walks over the previous two seasons leads the Minors. Where there’s a pause is on his defensive residence. Second base is probably going Julien’s quickest path to The Show, which might come as quickly because the early a part of the 2023 marketing campaign.
Dalton Rushing, C — Dodgers
While the Dodgers already take pleasure in one catcher among the many Top 100 prospects in Diego Cartaya (No. 14 general), one other is on the horizon through their 2022 Draft class. Despite being bumped again 10 alternatives resulting from exceeding luxurious tax guidelines, L.A. added to its stout system with Rushing, a Louisville backstop whose collegiate enjoying time was stunted by ready behind Henry Davis, the No. 1 general choose from the 2021 Draft.
“I think the industry slept on him a little bit,” Callis mentioned of Rushing. “Area scouts who covered both guys believe he’s a better receiver than Davis.”
Rushing hit the bottom operating final summer time, slashing a gaudy .424/.539/.778 with 19 extra-base hits and 30 RBIs in simply 28 video games with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga. More manufacturing anyplace close to that stage will assuredly put the 21-year-old within the Top 100 dialog.
Edgar Quero, C — Angels
Few batters at any stage had as spectacular a 2022 yr as Quero did in his full-season debut for Single-A Inland Empire. During his age-19 marketing campaign, the Cuban slashed .312/.435/.530 and led all certified California League batters with a .439 wOBA and 150 wRC+. Maybe most spectacular was that Quero delivered all that manufacturing whereas dealing with the trials of catching on an on a regular basis foundation.
“All the ingredients are there for him to be a really good all-around catcher, even if it is bat over glove,” Mayo mentioned. “It seems to be like he ought to have the ability to stick behind there and hit a lot.”
Dax Fulton, LHP — Marlins
“We could conceivably be seeing plus fastball, plus curveball, plus slider,” Callis mentioned of Fulton’s repertoire. “I could see him being a guy who really takes a big step forward in 2023.”
Fulton’s curveball grades out as one of many premier particular person pitches in all of prospectdom, having helped the southpaw accrue 150 strikeouts in 118 1/3 innings this previous season. The 6-foot-7 hurler was the premier prep lefty within the 2020 Draft class, however Tommy John surgical procedure slid him to the second spherical, the place the Marlins pounced; they’ll be banking on his oodles of upside as he continues to get his toes moist in professional ball.
Matthew Liberatore, LHP — Cardinals
The lone member of this group to have beforehand been a Top 100 prospect, the southpaw has undergone (seemingly unfairly) one thing mirroring prospect fatigue. Having debuted because the No. 68 prospect after he was chosen within the first spherical by Tampa Bay in 2018, Liberatore topped out at No. 37 previous to the 2021 yr, a season after St. Louis acquired him in a swap for Randy Arozarena.
While Liberatore battled his command in a quick nine-game Major League debut (4.7 walks per 9) final season, the ceiling stays excessive for the Arizona native.
