TTFB’S Top 50 MLB Prospects

  1. Adley Rutschman, C, Baltimore Orioles
  2. Jarred Kelenic, OF, Seattle Mariners
  3. Spencer Torkelson, 3B/1B, Detroit Tigers
  4. Bobby Witt Jr, SS, Kansas City Royals
  5. Julio Rodriguez, OF, Seattle Mariners
  6. Sixto Sanchez, RHP, Miami Marlins
  7. MacKenzie Gore, LHP, San Diego Padres
  8. Riley Greene, OF, Detroit Tigers
  9. Grayson Rodriguez, RHP, Baltimore Orioles
  10. CJ Abrams, SS, San Diego Padres

    1-10 ANALYSIS
    Tampa Bay’s Wander Franco was recently removed from this list as he exhausted his rookie eligibility. All hail the new crown of the prospect class, Adley Rutschman. He leads the next generation of catchers, who can actually hit. After the all-star break, he was promoted to the AAA Norfolk Tides. I fully expect Baltimore to promote Rutschman near season’s end, then at the start of the 2022 season, he’ll compete for the starting catcher role in the organization, thus kicking off Baltimore’s rebuild with a bang. My top-10 is filled with stud outfielders who have some of the highest ceilings I have ever seen. Detroit’s Riley Greene has been hitting and dazzling in the field since he arrived on the farm. Bobby Witt Jr.’s time to get promoted to the bigs is also nigh. This is an impressive group of destined all-stars.
  11. Marco Luciano, SS, San Francisco Giants
  12. Joey Bart, C, San Fransisco Giants
  13. Hunter Greene, RHP, Cincinnati Reds
  14. Jasson Dominguez, OF, New York Yankees
  15. Austin Martin, SS/OF, Minnesota Twins
  16. JJ Bleday, OF, Miami Marlins
  17. Jack Leiter, RHP, Texas Rangers
  18. Vidal Brujan, 2B/SS, Tampa Bay Rays
  19. Royce Lewis, SS, Minnesota Twins
  20. Matt Manning, RHP, Detroit Tigers

    10-20 ANALYSIS
    When 2022 arrives, many of these prospects will enter the top-10. JJ Bleday has been chomping at the bit to get promoted in Miami. Matt Manning has made a handful of starts in Detroit and looks very much like the prospect the organization hoped he’d become. Jack Leiter headlines the 2021 draft class with his top-10 ranking. I fully expect other ’21 draft class members to join him shortly. To me, though, Austin Martin and Jasson Dominguez stand out in this crop. Every season, Dominguez keeps inching his way up lists, vying for his shot in the show. He’ll be a necessary bat in a crowded, yet injury-prone, Yankees outfield. Toronto trading Austin Martin to the Twins for Jose Berrios blew me away. While I really do like Berrios’ stuff on the mound, Austin Martin is a game-changer at the plate and in the field. This is a guy that could very well have a 20-year career. He’s electric and I fully expect him to enter top-10 on prospect lists everywhere very shortly.
  21. Cristian Pache, OF, Atlanta Braves
  22. Marcelo Mayer, SS, Boston Red Sox
  23. Nate Pearson, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays
  24. Henry Davis, C, Pittsburgh Pirates
  25. Jordan Lawlar, SS Arizona Diamondbacks
  26. Nolan Gorman, 3B, St. Louis Cardinals
  27. Josh Jung, 3B, Texas Rangers
  28. Luis Campusano, C, San Diego Padres
  29. Ronny Mauricio, SS, New York Mets
  30. Brennen Davis, OF, Chicago Cubs

    20-30 ANALYSIS
    Welcome to the pro ranks Marcelo Mayer, Jordan Lawlar, and Henry Davis. I would’ve placed Davis higher, but the transition from college to the pros as a catcher is cumbersome for most prospects. We’ll see how he does in his first taste of pro baseball before placing him higher on my list. Mayer was a steal for the Red Sox in the draft, he’s got Dansby Swanson comparisons but his offensive game projects even higher.
  31. Max Meyer, RHP, Miami Marlins
  32. Corbin Carroll, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks
  33. Josiah Gray, LHP, Washington Nationals
  34. Heliot Ramos, OF, San Fransisco Giants
  35. Asa Lacy, LHP, Kansas City Royals
  36. Brett Baty, 3B, New York Mets
  37. Nick Gonzales, 2B, Pittsburgh Pirates
  38. Zac Veen, OF, Colorado Rockies
  39. Edward Cabrera, RHP, Miami Marlins

    30-40 ANALYSIS
    Nick Gonzales, to me, might become the best second basemen on this entire list down the road. The Pirates made a stellar choice, nabbing the New Mexico product in the first round of the 2020 MLB Draft. Zac Veen has tools that jump off the page, and will fit nicely in the Coors Field outfield, after Charlie Blackmon moves on. Asa Lacy’s breaking balls are trophy pitches. His upper-80s slider is easily seen as his plus pitch, and he can pile on whiffs with both, as well as a fading changeup that is a consistent plus offering and well-above-average at its best. 
  40. Shane Baz, RHP, Tampa Bay Rays
  41. Triston Casas, 1B, Boston Red Sox
  42. Francisco Alvarez, C, New York Mets
  43. Brandon Marsh, OF, Los Angeles Angels
  44. Jarren Duran, OF, Boston Red Sox
  45. Quinn Priester, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates
  46. Nick Lodolo, LHP, Cincinnati Reds
  47. Emerson Hancock, RHP, Seattle Mariners
  48. Nolan Jones, 3B, Cleveland Indians
  49. Heston Kjerstad, OF, Baltimore Orioles
  50. Matthew Liberatore, LHP, St. Louis Cardinals

    40-50 ANALYSIS
    Jarren Duran is a fast-riser. He’s quick on the base paths, showcasing his plus plus speed at Fenway in front of thousands, who didn’t even know who he was at first. He added some loft to his left-handed swing, which helped him drive the ball farther. He was already a consistent hitter, but adding this extra tweak really helped his promotion to the show. When it’s all said and done, Heston Kjerstad could very well become the best power hitter on this list. His wrist action and hips are fluid and special to watch. He can barrel up the ball with ease when he finds a pitch he likes. Shane Baz doesn’t get much love since his trade from Pittsburgh. He’s always floated under the radar. Now is his time to step out among the pack. His fastball is a 70 grade, and his slider has a tail whip that makes it obvious as his finisher. At this point, it’s safe to say Baz might not wind up as a rotation starter, but as a late-inning relief. Josh Hader comps possibly?

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