Last week I dropped part one and two of my top 69 MLB Prospects, midseason edition. Today we'll conclude with a look at the final thirty.
Short story long, I was unable to put the same time and care into the top 30 as the back-end of my list. I was also unwilling to publish a mere list of names to round it out. The compromise I cooked up was a ranking for each player, followed by a haiku.
According to my research on WikiHow dot com, haiku is a "short poem that uses sensory language to capture a feeling or image." It also follows a 5-7-5 syllable pattern, which I've loosely adhered to.
In addition, I've combed through the MinorLeagueBall archives to find published work on (most) every player below, and allowed that writing to inform the mood of the poem. In some cases, I had to get creative to find inspiration.
30. Clint Frazier, OF, Indians
Georgia in the spring:
A thundering ping echoes,
"Post-contact pimpage"
29. Francis Martes, RHP, Astros
Thieved from Gulf backfields,
A barrel-chested bulldog.
Next Papa Grande
28. Jose De Leon, RHP, Dodgers
Drop and drive technique:
Kick. Stride. Coiled tension. Push.
Oops, Bugs Bunny change.
27. Amir Garrett, LHP, Reds
Fringe basketballer
Lights up gun, hangs up sneakers;
He made a wise choice
26. Bradley Zimmer, OF, Indians
Captains of the Tribe
Bonds forged on Lake Erie shores;
Photobombed by Dorssys
25. Willy Adames, SS, Rays
First week on the job;
A momento from my home,
Big Willy Style.
24. Gleyber Torres, SS, Cubs
Caracas: shortstop
Hotbed; Teenaged Baby Cub
Trade bait for Archer
23. Lewis Brinson, OF, Rangers
Nursed back to good health
Frisco Kid, Ranger Danger
If you throw inside
22. Eloy Jimenez, OF, Cubs
Chilly mid-June night:
Inner third, his happy zone.
"A man among boys"
21. David Dahl, OF, Rockies
Five tools. Squint, and see
modern Mile-High Van Slyke;
All he needs is health.
20. Anderson Espinoza, RHP, Padres
Traded at Eighteen,
But there's only one Pedro.
Preller: Gamblin' Man
19. Jose Berrios, RHP, Twins
A rude welcoming;
Revival in Rochester:
Rotation anchor
18. Rafael Devers, 3B, Red Sox
Can you measure grit?
Do you have Devers fever?
We're all gritnesses.
17. Ozzie Albies, SS, Braves
'Simba' was traded,
But lil Ozzie still remains
One bad Mufasa
16. Amed Rosario, SS, Mets
Long awaited call
But, ¿Que es Marty McFly?
Born to play shortstop.
15. Austin Meadows, OF, Pirates
Georgia rivalry
Red Devil, Battering Ram.
Latter will go HAM
14. Brendan Rodgers, SS, Rockies
Can't spot a weakness.
Asheville clouds, but rest assured:
Tourist passing through
13. Orlando Arcia, SS, Brewers
Wayne says, he's down with Orlando
Takes a swing man, he can hit
He's gonna rake tomorrow
12. Victor Robles, OF, Nationals
Hagerstown Trio,
one Sun shines brightest:
Teenage prodigy
Geoff Burke-USA Today
11. Trea Turner, SS, Nationals
80 speed, takes lead.
Ignore 'pop times'. Uno, dos,
Trea's a catalyst
10. Dansby Swanson, SS, Braves
Lieutenant Dans is:
A certified sprayer. Gamer.
'Can't miss' as it gets
9. Alex Reyes, RHP, Cardinals
Tweet: This serves as both
A saludo and warning:
Futures Game, pure smoke
8. Andrew Benintendi, OF, Red Sox
One calendar year,
Could be ready for Fenway.
What Would Bill James Do?
7. Joey Gallo, 3B/1B/LF, Rangers
Power plus patience =
Now he's a Giambi clone,
His friend and mentor.
6. Alex Bregman, SS/3B, Astros
Pondering Bregman:
Pretty bold, K-Law
5. J.P. Crawford, SS, Phillies
Behold, the crown jewel
A future Broad Street Bully
Face of a rebuild
4. Lucas Giolito, RHP, Nationals
Downhill plane to see
King of the Righties, until
Otani arrives
3. Julio Urias, LHP, Dodgers
A poised wünderkind
Toggling velocity.
Koufax, Kershaw, him?
2. Tyler Glasnow, RHP, Pirates
He can't be barreled
High 90's heat, and Lord Charles.
With command, an ace
1. Yoan Moncada, 2B, Red Sox
Sixty-three million
Dollar Signs on his muscles;
The next Joe Morgan?
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