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Our main current project is an updated Top 100 list for the end of the 2016 season.
The first step in the process is reviewing the pre-season Top 175 list. Earlier we did spots one through 25. Here's 26 through 50. And now here's 51 through 75.
Obviously we don't know how things will look three years from now, but we can at least come up with some preliminary assessments.
THIS IS THE 2016 PRE-SEASON LIST. It is the research starting point for the 2017 list.
51) Michael Feliz, RHP, Houston Astros, Grade B+: Earned job in major league pen, posting 4.55 ERA but with 93/22 K/BB in 63 innings; the strikeouts point to huge upside, ERA is misleading. Graduated.
52) Amir Garrett, LHP, Cincinnati Reds, Grade B+: Strong season in high minors, 2.55 ERA in 145 innings with 132/59 K/BB, ready for a trial next year. Still a B+.
53) Phil Bickford, RHP, San Francisco Giants, Grade B+: Traded to Milwaukee Brewers; impressive season in Low-A/High-A with 123 innings, 2.93, 135/42 K/BB; holding at a strong B+.
54) Brent Honeywell, RHP, Tampa Bay Rays, Grade B+: Very good year in High-A/Double-A with 2.34 ERA, 117/25 K/BB in 115 innings, holding with a strong B+.
55) Christian Arroyo, SS-2B, San Francisco Giants, Grade B+: Hit .274/.316/.373 in 474 at-bats in Double-A; steady glove and has added versatility with more innings at second and third; while not as loud as his 2015 season I still like his overall skill set. B/B+ cusp.
56) Ryan McMahon, 3B, Colorado Rockies, Grade B+: Hit .242/.295/.399 in Double-A with 12 homers, 55 walks, 161 strikeouts; the Eastern League is a lot tougher than the Cal League; defense has improved only marginally and spent half of season at 1B; at age 21 he has time to adjust, B/B+ cusp.
57) Bobby Bradley, 1B, Cleveland Indians, Grade B+: Hit .235/.344/.466 with 29 homers, 102 RBI, 75 walks, 170 strikeouts in High-A; huge power obviously, contact concerns and can be streaky but just age 20; holding with B+.
58) Rob Kaminsky, LHP, Cleveland Indians, Grade B+: 3.28 ERA in 137 innings in Double-A; 92/48 K/BB, 1.70 GO/AO; I'd like more whiffs but it was a successful season overall, should get a trial next year. Likely hold with B+.
59) Kolby Allard, RHP, Atlanta Braves, Grade B+: Strong season between rookie ball and Low-A, 2.98 ERA with 95/22 K/BB in 88 innings, 72 hits; healthy and often dominant; B+/A- cusp.
60) Trevor Story, SS, Colorado Rockies, Grade B+: Seized shortstop job, hitting .272/.341/.567 with 27 homers, 35 walks, 130 whiffs in 372 at-bats until tearing thumb ligament; graduated and grade verified so far.
61) Nick Gordon, SS, Minnesota Twins, Grade B+: Hit .291/.335/.386 with 19 steals in High-A; getting stronger physically and hit well in tough-offense league, defense solid, holding with a B+.
62) Jose Peraza, INF, Cincinnati Reds, Grade B+: 192 major league at-bats, hitting .318/.342/.396 with 16 steals, playing mixture of outfield and infield. Graduated, will have to see if impatient approach sabotages him long-term but he's been solid so far.
63) Jacob Nottingham, C, Milwaukee Brewers, Grade B+: Disappointing season in Double-A, .234/.295/.347 with 11 homers, 29 walks, 138 strikeouts; defense went backwards too; young enough to rebound but downgrade will be necessary. B-?
64) Jeff Hoffman, RHP, Colorado Rockies, Grade B+: Good year in Triple-A; 4.02, 124/44 in 119 innings; has made five MLB starts without much success but not much left to prove in minors; holding with a B+.
65) Gary Sanchez, C, New York Yankees, Grade B+: Simply excellent since promotion to the majors, .372/.393/.698 with 16 homers in 159 at-bats and holding up defensively; graduated; grade verified so far.
66) James Kaprielian, RHP, New York Yankees, Grade B+: Went down with elbow injury after three excellent starts in High-A; status depends on health but obviously talented if OK physically.
67) Raul Mondesi, SS, Kansas City Royals, Grade B+: Not hitting much since promotion to majors, .190/.234/.273 in 121 at-bats; will probably exceed rookie limit; if he does remain eligible for 2017, his grade will take considerable thought due to questions about offensive projection.
68) Jorge Mateo, SS, New York Yankees, Grade B+: Hit .254/.306/.379 in High-A with 36 steals; could use tighter sense of strike zone; played spectacular defense when used at second base; not a terrible year but didn't meet all expectations. B+/B cusp.
69) David Dahl, OF, Colorado Rockies, Grade B+: Very successful since reaching majors, .315/.361/.504 in 181 at-bats; does not seem like a fluke; graduated and grade on the way to verification.
70) Josh Bell, 1B-OF, Pittsburgh Pirates, Grade B+: Strong year in Triple-A at .295/.382/.468, hitting well in the majors so far at .311/.413/.467 in 90 at-bats; looks like he will maintain rookie status for 2017; will hold with a Grade B+ at least and there may be a case for higher.
71) Josh Hader, LHP, Milwaukee Brewers, Grade B+: Unhittable in Double-A (0.95 in 57 innings), but Triple-A is tougher (5.22 in 69 innings); combined for 161 strikeouts in 126 innings with just 101 hits; it is fashionable to project him in the bullpen but he's had consistent success in the rotation and maintained whiff pace despite some bumps in Triple-A. Will hold with B+..
72) Alex Verdugo, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers, Grade B+: Hit .273/.336/.407 in Double-A with 13 homers, 44 walks, 67 strikeouts in 477 at-bats; not as dominant as 2015 but held his own in the Texas League at age 20; will hold with a B+.
73) Matt Olson, 1B, Oakland Athletics, Grade B+: Hit .235/.335/.422 with 17 homers, 71 walks in 464 at-bats in Triple-A; still profiles as power/patience hitter without a high batting average; B+/B cusp.
74) Willy Adames, SS, Tampa Bay Rays, Grade B+: Very good year at .274/.372/.430 with 11 homers, 74 walks, 13 steals and steady defense in Double-A at age 20. Holding with a B+.
75) Renato Nunez, OF, Oakland Athletics, Grade B+: Hit .228/.278/.412 with 31 walks, 119 whiffs in 505 at-bats in Triple-A; less patience than Olson but may have even more pure power; also on B+/B cusp.
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