Top 50 MLB Prospects (July 16, 2018)

Here’s a quickly updated Top 50 MLB prospects list for mid-season, 2018.

The last update was a Top 30 back in May. The original pre-season Top 175 is linked here.

I had planned on this July revision being a top 100 but have backed that off to 50 since I want to do the mid-season organization reviews first before compiling a larger list The first of those reviews will be the Minnesota Twins, hopefully up tomorrow.

This list does not include any 2018 draftees.

As always I am open to discussion and argument. It’s all a moving target.

GRADUATES

Ronald Acuna; Jake Bauers; Walker Buehler; Jack Flaherty; Austin Meadows; Shohei Ohtani; Juan Soto; Gleyber Torres

Top 50 MLB Prospects (6/16/2018)

1) Vladimir Guerrero Jr, 3B, Toronto Blue Jays
2) Fernando Tatis, Jr, SS, San Diego Padres
3) Eloy Jimenez, OF, Chicago White Sox
4) Nick Senzel, 3B, Cincinnati Reds
5) Kyle Tucker, OF, Houston Astros
COMMENT: Pretty standard and non-controversial.

6) Brendan Rodgers, SS, Colorado Rockies
7) Forrest Whitley, RHP, Houston Astros
8) Jesus Luzardo, LHP, Oakland Athletics
9) Bo Bichette, SS, Toronto Blue Jays
10) Alex Reyes, RHP, St. Louis Cardinals
COMMENT: Do you think this is too high on Rodgers? I go back and forth between him and Bichette. I don’t know where to put Reyes with his most recent injury but at least it isn’t his arm this time. Luzardo has been excellent and still doesn’t seem like he gets enough attention nationally.

11) Mitch Keller, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates
12) Michael Kopech, RHP, Chicago White Sox
13) Willy Adames, SS, Tampa Bay Rays
14) Victor Robles, OF, Washington Natonals
15) Mike Soroka, RHP, Atlanta Braves
COMMENT: Nothing too controversial here.

16) Royce Lewis, SS, Minnesota Twins
17) Taylor Trammell, OF, Cincinnati Reds
18) Jo Adell, OF, Los Angeles Angels
19) Brendan McKay, LHP, Tampa Bay Rays
20) Mackenzie Gore, LHP, San Diego Padres
COMMENT: Lewis, Trammell, Adell all on an upward trajectory.

21) Hunter Greene, RHP, Cincinnati Reds
22) Francisco Mejia, C, Cleveland Indians
23) Jesus Sanchez, OF, Tampa Bay Rays
24) Triston McKenzie, RHP, Cleveland Indians
25) Luis Robert, OF, Chicago White Sox
COMMENT: I still love Greene and think his turnaround since April is legit, though of course I recognize the risks inherent in young pitchers. McKenzie is great if healthy. Robert was trending up until his thumb injury. I still believe in Mejia thought I’m not sure others share this opinion.

26) Carter Kieboom, SS, Washington Nationals
27) Luis Urias, INF, San Diego Padres
28) Keston Hiura, 2B, Milwaukee Brewers
29) Alex Verdugo, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers
30) Freddy Peralta, RHP, Milwaukee Brewers
COMMENT: Kieboom and Peralta the surgers here. Peralta will graduate soon enough; this may be too rich for some but I believe.

31) Estevan Florial, OF, New York Yankees
32) Justus Sheffield, LHP, New York Yankees
33) Dylan Cease, RHP, Chicago White Sox
34) Sixto Sanchez, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies
35) Franklin Perez, RHP, Detroit Tigers
COMMENT: No big changes from where I had them pre-season.

36) Yordan Alvarez, OF, Houston Astros
37) Michel Baez, RHP, San Diego Padres
38) Brent Honeywell, RHP, Tampa Bay Rays
39) A.J. Puk, LHP, Oakland Athletics
40) Ian Anderson, RHP, Atlanta Braves
COMMENT: I never know what to do with the Tommy John guys like Puk and Honeywell. Ian Anderson may end up better than other Braves arms who get more attention.

41) Adrian Morejon, LHP, San Diego Padres
42) Keibert Ruiz, C, Los Angeles Dodgers
43) Shane Bieber, RHP, Cleveland Indians
44) Tyler O’Neill, OF, St. Louis Cardinals
45) Austin Riley, 3B, Atlanta Braves
COMMENT: There are some people who don’t think Bieber is a Top 100 prospect. Personally I think you can make a case to put him much higher than here.

46) Willie Calhoun, OF, Texas Rangers
47) Dane Dunning, RHP, Chicago White Sox
48) Andres Gimenez, SS, New York Mets
49) Matt Manning, RHP, Detroit Tigers
50) Alex Kirilloff, OF, Minnesota Twins
COMMENT: Reviews on Kirilloff are uniformly positive and he could end up much higher by September.

The next major revision will be after the organization reviews are complete and could look much different.