The annual unveiling of MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 prospects list is usually a sign that spring, or at least spring training, is around the corner. And while that was true in 2020, no one would have been able to predict what would happen in the coming season or not.
The annual unveiling of MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 prospects list is usually a sign that spring, or at least spring training, is around the corner. And while that was true in 2020, no one would have been able to predict what would happen in the coming season or not.
Despite the pandemic-shortened Major League campaign and the lack of any Minor League season, many players in the Top 100 rose to the highest level in 2020, making contributions across baseball, from basement dwellers to World Series champions.
Again, we are all full of hope in anticipation of something that is close to a normal season. And once again, many on our brand new 2021 list of the Top 100 prospects will create excitement in the big leagues all year long.
It is not surprising that the list is once again at the top of the Rays shortstop phenomenon Wander Franco, for a fourth consecutive edition (2019 midseason-2021 preseason). The top 10 also includes some Mariners outfielders and two Padres prospects.
Those on the list must be eligible for newcomers. To be eligible for rookie status, a player must not have exceeded more than 130 innings or 50 innings in the Major League, or more than 45 days on the active roster of a Major League club (s) during the 25 players did not accumulate. limited period, excluding time on the injured list or in military service. The rankings still follow the guidelines set out in the collective bargaining agreement in terms of who falls under the international rules for pool money. Players who are at least 25 years old and have played in leagues that are considered professional (Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Cuba) are not eligible.
The Top 100 was compiled by myself, Jim Callis and Mike Rosenbaum, with input from industry sources, including front office scouts and executives. It is based on the analysis of players’ disadvantages, instruments and potential impact on the Major League.
MLB Network will present its Top 100 outlook on February 13 at 5:00 PM ET.
The top 10
1. Wander Franco, SS, Strale
2. Adley Rutschman, C, Orioles
3. Spencer Torkelson, 3B / 1B, Tigers
Jarred Kelenic, OF, Mariners
5. Julio Rodriguez, OF, Mariners
MacKenzie Gore, LHP, Padres
Bobby Witt Jr., SS, Royals
8. CJ Abrams, SS, Padres
9. Ke’Bryan Hayes, 3B, Pirates
10. Nate Pearson, RHP, Blue Jays
Complete list »
The newcomers
Players of the 2020 draft were not included in this section as they were not on the list a year ago. Due to the unusual nature of the 2020 season, there are not as many new names this time around, but there are some intriguing players jumping on the list this year.
It’s a group starting with Rays fielder Randy Arozarena, who took Major League Baseball by storm by hitting seven homers in just 64 innings in the regular season, and then hitting another ten in an absolutely ridiculous aftermath. season ride that included an MVP of the U.S. League Championship Series. . That’s why he’s debuting at number 34 in this year’s Top 100.
No other newcomers are in the top 50, but a few right-handed pitchers have come close. The Indians Triston McKenzie, who was on the list the previous year but dropped out in 2019, selected him to the big leagues and Cleveland’s national season, was at no. 51, while the Pirates selected the first round for 2019 in the first round. , Quinn Priest, debuted at No. 52.
Highest rises
It is not just the newcomers who have a jump in 2021. Several players who were last year’s Top 100 have a big arrow next to their names. There are six players who have improved by more than 25 places from year to year, led by Corbin Carroll, D fullback. The first round of 2019 flies from number 89 to number 47. Triston Casas, first man of the Red Sox, jumped from number 77 to number 44, while the third baseman of Pirates, Ke’Bryan Hayes, catapulted into the top-10 is. achieved the number 9 to 41st place before the 2020 season. Royals left Daniel Lynch hit a similar jump of 32 places (No. 61 to No. 29), Blue Jays Jordan Groshans jumped from No. 1. 75 went to number 46 and English outfielder Brandon Marsh also improved by 26 places (from No. 79 to No. 53).
Worst fall
There are six prospects that were in the top 100 of last year on the preseason, which fell off the list in 2021, all in the 80-100 range. Marlins fielder Jesús Sánchez is the first chance to fall (No. 80), followed by Phillies shortstop Bryston Stott (No. 87), Rays right-hander Brent Honeywell (No. 91), Yankees RHP Deivi García (No. 92), Nationals shortstop Luis Garcia (No. 97) and Giants left Seth Corry (No. 99).
The graduates
Even with the shortened year, a large number of prospects got enough league time to graduate from some of the prospects. This group of 17 is complemented by Dodgers striker Gavin Lux, who was the No. 2 prospect a year ago. He was accompanied by two more leading prospects, Luis Robert of the White Sox (No. 3) and Jo Adell of the Angels (No. 6). A’s left Jesus Luzardo (No. 12) and Dodgers’ right hand man Dustin May (No. 23) were the best rankings that came off the list.
Positional breakdown
This is one of the more hitter-heavy Top 100s we’ve had for a while. There are 39 pitchers in total, 27 right-handed and 12 left-handed, very far from the 47 arms we had the previous two years. We only had 39 pitchers in 2016, after we had 42 in 2017.
There are still more total pitchers than any other position, with the 25 outside players closest. Shortstops is next with 14 reaching the Top 100, followed by nine catchers, seven third basemen, four second basemen and a few first basemen.
Feel the concept
Rearranging the Top 100 this summer will give us the opportunity to add members of the most recent Draft Class. In 2020, outside of graduation, it was the only change to the list. Due to the pandemic, the order of existing players on the list remained static, except to make room for the 14 members of the ’20 class added. The harvest is, of course, led by Spencer Torkelson, our number 3 prospect,’s overall choice. Five other first-round picks are in the top-50 overall: no. 22 Austin Martin, OF (Blue Jays), no. 28 Max Meyer, RHP (Marlins), no. 30 Asa Lacy, LHP (Royals), no. 31 Emerson Hancock, RHP (Mariners) and no. 43 Nick Gonzales, 2B (Pirates). Overall, there are 81 former candidates in the Top 100.
International fragrance
This leaves 19 international contestants on the list (Reminder: players from Canada and Puerto Rico are lined up). It is not surprising that the Dominican Republic leads this group with a dozen representatives. The Bahamas and Venezuela each have two players in the Top 100, while Colombia, Cuba and Panama each have one representative.
Jonathan Mayo is a reporter for MLBPipeline.com. Follow him on Twitter @JonathanMayo and Facebook, and listen to him on the weekly MLB Pipeline Podcast.