Here is an updated version of our Top 100 prospects list. In the next few weeks, we will work on listing the next 150 prospects. Then, we will incorporate amateur players and have a Top 250 list which we will update regularly throughout the season. As always, feedback is appreciated so let us know which players you believe are rated too high or too low.
1. Bryce Harper—OF, Nationals
2. Matt Moore—P, Rays
3. Yu Darvish—P, Rangers
4. Mike Trout—OF, Angels
5. Julio Teheran—P, Braves
6. Jurickson Profar—SS, Rangers
7. Shelby Miller—P, Cardinals
8. Jesus Montero-C, Mariners
9. Manny Machado—SS, Orioles
10. Gerrit Cole—P, Pirates
11. Devin Mesoraco-C, Reds
12. Trevor Bauer—P, Diamondbacks
13. Yoennis Cespedes—OF, Free Agent
14. Tyler Skaggs—P, Diamondbacks
15. Anthony Rendon—3B, Nationals
16. Dylan Bundy—P, Orioles
17. Drew Pomeranz—P, Rockies
18. Nolan Arenado—3B, Rockies
19. Travis D’Arnaud-C, Blue Jays
20. Danny Hultzen—P, Mariners
21. Wil Myers—OF, Royals
22. Jacob Turner—P, Tigers
23. Jameson Taillon—P, Pirates
24. Bubba Starling—OF, Royals
25. Taijuan Walker—P, Mariners
26. Yonder Alonso-1B, Padres
27. Zach Wheeler—P, Mets
28. Miguel Sano—3B, Twins
29. Carlos Martinez—P, Cardinals
30. Martin Perez—P, Rangers
31. Archie Bradley—P, Diamondbacks
32. Francisco Lindor—SS, Indians
33. James Paxton—P, Mariners
34. Oscar Tavares—OF, Cardinals
35. Jarrod Parker—P, Athletics
36. Arodys Vizcaino—P, Braves
37. Gary Brown—OF, Giants
38. Christian Yelich—OF, Marlins
39. Randall Delgado—P, Braves
40. Nick Franklin—SS, Mariners
41. Xander Boagerts—SS, Red Sox
42. Jorge Soler—OF, Free Agent
43. Jake Marisnick—OF, Blue Jays
44. Leonys Martin—OF, Rangers
45. Manny Banuelos—P, Yankees
46. Matt Harvey—P, Mets
47. Drew Hutchinson—P, Blue Jays
48. Jake Odorizzi—P, Royals
49. Anthony Rizzo-1B, Cubs
50. Jean Segura—SS, Angels
51. Robbie Erlin—P, Padres
52. Zach Cox—3B, Cardinals
53. Rymer Liriano—OF, Padres
54. Michael Choice—OF, Athletics
55. Gary Sanchez-C, Yankees
56. Yasmani Grandal-C, Padres
57. Anthony Gose—OF, Blue Jays
58. Javier Baez-SS, Cubs
59. Hak Ju Lee—SS, Rays
60. Trevor May—P, Phillies
61. Tyrell Jenkins—P, Cardinals
62. Joe Weiland—P, Padres
63. Billy Hamilton—SS, Reds
64. Brett Jackson—OF, Cubs
65. George Springer—OF, Astros
66. Taylor Jungmann—P, Brewers
67. Matt Barnes—P, Red Sox
68. Dellin Betances—P, Yankees
69. Mike Montgomery—P, Royals
70. Jed Bradley—P, Brewers
71. AJ Cole—P, Athletics
72. Cory Spangenberg—3B, Padres
73. Jarred Cosart—P, Astros
74. Kolten Wong—2B, Cardinals
75. Mike Olt—3B, Rangers
76. Josh Bell—OF, Pirates
77. Starling Marte—OF, Pirates
78. Sonny Gray—P, Athletics
79. Zach Lee—P, Dodgers
80. Brad Peacock—P, Athletics
81. Nestor Molina—P, White Sox
82. Cheslor Cuthbert—3B, Royals
83. Jonathan Singleton-1B, Astros
84. Noah Syndergaard—P, Blue Jays
85. Wily Peralta—P, Brewers
86. Allen Webster—P, Dodgers
87. Daniel Norris—P, Blue Jays
88. Alex Torres—P, Rays
89. Justin Nicolino—P, Blue Jays
90. Luis Heredia—P, Pirates
91. Ryan Lavarnway-C, Red Sox
92. Wilin Rosario-C, Rockies
93. Will Middlebrooks—3B, Red Sox
94. Nick Castellanos—3B, Tigers
95. Matt Szczur—OF, Cubs
96. Bryce Brentz—OF, Red Sox
97. Jose Campos—P, Yankees
98. Nathan Eovaldi—P, Dodgers
99. Keyvious Sampson—P, Padres
100. Zach Cozart—SS, Reds
Some Notable Players Not Listed: Oswaldo Arcia (OF, Twins), Christian Bethancourt (C, Braves), Chad Bettis (P, Rockies), Jesse Biddle (P, Phillies), Garin Checcini (3B, Red Sox), Kaleb Cowart (3B, Angels), Jose Fernandez (P, Marlins), Robbie Grossman (OF, Pirates), Jed Gyorko (3B, Padres), Casey Kelly (P, Padres), Deck McGuire (P, Blue Jays), Chris Parmelee (1B, Twins), Garrett Richards (P, Angels), Eddie Rosario (2B/OF, Twins), Jonathan Schoop (2B, Orioles), Andrelton Simmons (SS, Braves), Tyler Thornburg (P, Brewers), Tim Wheeler (OF, Rockies), Mason Williams (OF, Yankees)
Yeah, it was a surprising decision! Oakland’s offseason has been really interesting, and even though it’s difficult to envision them competing in the short-term, I think there is a greater method behind the strategy this off-season than many project. Going into the offseason, they needed to make adjustments b/c it was not realistic they could compete long-term on a limited payroll w/ their current MLB roster and farm system. So they rebuilt aggressively while also picking up a few older players they thought were undervalued.
It’ll be interesting to see how many of their prospect pickups will perform, particularly Milone, Norris, and Cowgill. All three are arguably underrated by prospect rankers like myself. For example, I will be interested to watch how Milone (along w/ Erlin and Surkamp) perform in the major leagues. How much should a player who posts terrific strikeout rates in the minor leagues be devalued based on lacking an elite fastball? Even though it’s impossible for me to really know which “behind the scenes” guys provide the most value, part of me really likes their decision to bring back Dan Feinstein from Tampa Bay.
One decision I did not like was letting the Cubs get Adrian Cardenas. I’ve always been a fan, and even if he lacks huge potential, I thought he could have helped them b/c they don’t have any great options at 3B and he might have been useful in a backup role.
Bradley, players on Oaklands roster don’t seem to last very long…
But I dont understand this move quite frankly, Oakland doesn’t seem to want to compete in the next 2-3 years (and why would they when Texas and LA are spending like crazy). But by the time they even get a window to compete they will have to trade him away?!?!
Saw that. What do you think? $36 million is a major investment, but I sorta like the move from Oakland’s perspective. It’s hard to know for sure b/c the information is limited, but they certainly added another young, high-upside player.
The only reason I was sorta surprised Oakland signed Cespedes is their outfield already has a number of young players. But even if they have several sleepers, the presence of those players should not have prevented them from adding Cespedes.
Cespedes signs with Oakland.
http://www.tsn.ca/mlb/story/?id=387709
Yeah, when I first heard about the potential move to the AL West, my first thought was “well, at least we won’t have to deal w/ Pujols.” Haha.
I’ll never forget that home run he hit off Lidge in Game 6 of the NLCS. I didn’t think a person could hit a baseball that hard!
Brad,
Seems like the ’stros can’t avoid being in a conference with Sir Albert. You think he signed because he likes hitting bombs off the glass in Minute Maid?
Not me asking about the cardinals lol
The opposite…I’m a ’stros fan! We had to contend w/ Pujols in the playoffs, and there was the co-division championship in 2001. Perhaps I like a few of their players more than most? I am a believer in Cox, and going into last season, one of our best aggressive rankings was putting Tavares in the Top 250. Even though Jenkins could easily bust, he offers pretty substantial upside, IMO.
Agree rotation depth is huge, Simon. Among the teams that disappointed last season, I think a huge portion came into the season w/ no realistic backup plan if the pitchers in the preseason rotation got injured and/or underperformed.