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.
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.
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.
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.
40-50 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?
