Prospects week is upon us at Fangraphs and today was the updated release of the top 120 prospects. Always a great read. For the 2 local teams:
Yankees:
Deivi Garcia: 42
Jasson Dominguez: 49
Kevin Alcantara: 81
Ezequiel Duran: 85
Alex Vargas: 90
Mets:
Ronny Mauricio: 35
Andres Gimenez: 103
Mark Vientos: 106
The Rays with a strong showing on the list with 8 prospects, including Fangraphs first ever 80 FV prospect evaluated. Thought this blurb on Wander Franco (#1 overall) was pretty crazy:
This is the first 80 FV prospect of the Future Value era at FanGraphs, the best prospect on the planet, and the best I’ve evaluated during my tenure here. What does it take to draw such significant expectations? Let’s first examine the statistical case. Franco has played 175 career games, all at levels well above what is typical for a player his age (he doesn’t turn 19 until March). During those games, he’s hit .336/.405/.523 with 71 extra-base hits, 20 steals, and more walks than strikeouts. In fact, across two levels in 2019, Low- and Hi-A, Franco not only walked more than he struck out, but walked about twice as much. He has one of the lowest swinging strike rates in the entire minor leagues, and it’s possible the power hasn’t fully actualized yet because Franco still hits the ball on the ground a lot (48% last year). How about the TrackMan data? Franco’s exit velos and hard hit rate are both above big league average, which, again, is ridiculous for a teenager who’s playing against competition four and a half years older than he is in the Florida State League. |
Top 120 - (
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Similar reason why Dominguez isn't higher on this list.
Similar reason why Dominguez isn't higher on this list.
That makes sense, as Jasson was #38 in Baseball America I believe. What doesn't make sense in that context is Mauricio so high. He hasn't made it past A ball. I like him a lot, don't get me wrong. But #35 is a bit high for him. He does not deserve to be 14 spots higher than Jasson
Pleasantly surprised at how high Mauricio is
He’s a lot like Dominguez in that he’s physically mature beyond his years. Obviously we won’t know if Dominguez will have his hit tool.
He’s a lot like Dominguez in that he’s physically mature beyond his years. Obviously we won’t know if Dominguez will have his hit tool.
"Just because the June draft has come and gone, it doesn’t mean the Yankees can’t still add top amateur talent. Every year the July 2 signing period allows teams to sign the very best the international market has to offer. The Yankees are taking advantage of this signing period by adding five new players to the organization.
This process takes place every year, but this particular signing period is a big deal for the Yankees. Remember when the organization went crazy on the international market in 2014? As a penalty for going over their spending limit, the Yankees were forbidden from signing players to deals worth anything over $300,000. That means a lot of elite talent had gotten by in the last few years. In 2017, that restriction has finally been lifted, so now they are going back to spending.
The Yankees went big for Venezuelan outfielder Everson Pereira, who they signed for $1.5 million. In a video for Baseball America, Ben Badler described the no. 4 international prospect as a player who relies on his speed with a strong arm and very good defense. He has a fluid, short swing that should develop some power as he develops. Overall, he seems like a guy who can put the ball in play, get on base, and use his legs.
Two other players within Baseball America’s top 50 list signed with the organization. Roberto Chrinios is a Venezuelan shortstop, who the Yankees signed for $900,000. He has been ranked as the no. 20 player in this year’s class. There is also no. 28 Anthony Garcia, an outfielder from the Dominican Republic, who signed for $450,000."
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One name I’ve read about that wasn’t on my radar before is Maikol Escotto, hopefully he performs well stateside.
He’s a lot like Dominguez in that he’s physically mature beyond his years. Obviously we won’t know if Dominguez will have his hit tool.
It's almost statistically impossible that he does - but he doesn't need it. Shit, a 55 hit tool and he'll start for a long time. There can't be more than a few 80 grade hitters in the whole league. For the minors, Franco is probably one of the best prospects ever - not exaggerating. Whether or not he succeeds, who knows. The amount of scouts putting 80 hit tool on him is insane. I've followed prospects closely for decades, and outside of Vladito, there's not much like him. His walk to strikes is nutty - combined with his bat to ball skills. It's like he was born to hit.