Last week, I ranked the top 100 MLB prospects and all 30 MLB farm systems entering the 2024 season. Now let's take a deeper dive into each system with my team-by-team rankings, starting with the National League followed by the American League lists later this week.
A quick refresher on a key term you'll see throughout the team lists: future value, shortened to FV hereafter, sums up the value of a player into one number. It's graded on the 20-80 scouting scale. A low-end everyday player is a 50, which correlates to 2.0 WAR; a well-above-average position player, No. 3 starter or high-end closer is a 60, or somewhere around 3.0 WAR. I refrain from tossing out an 80 on minor leaguers because that would imply one is expected to be one of the top players in baseball. FV also scales to trade value, so a 50 FV in the low minors has a wide range of potential outcomes, but has trade value similar to a big league ready everyday player with a lower upside.
While the top 100 is exactly that long, I rank every prospect who gets a 45+ or better FV grade, so that rank is included here in the team lists. For every team, there are reports on the top 10 prospects and then varying numbers of others depending on the strength of the system. Broadly, it'll be everyone better than a 40 FV, then handpicked interesting prospects who are 40 FVs. For reference, a 40 FV is what I'd term a "common" prospect in old school baseball card parlance. That is to say, not one without value but every org has and has access to (rounds three through five of the draft are basically all 40 FVs right when they sign) many of these players every year.
This year I've left off the 35+ FV tier from the rankings as there were a number on each team of this fringy sort of prospect but they rarely matter in the season where I rank them in that tier, so I chose to focus my time and words on the better prospects. For farm rankings continuity, I still ranked players in this tier.
Now on to my 2024 NL rankings.
Jump to a franchise:
NL East: ATL | MIA | NYM | PHI | WSH
NL Central: CHC | CIN | MIL | PIT | STL
NL West: ARI | COL | LAD | SD | SF
More ESPN+ 2024 prospect coverage: Top 100 MLB prospects | Bold predictions
Team-by-team player rankings: American League | National League
NL EAST
Atlanta Braves
28th overall
27th in quality depth (prospects over 40 FV)
$87 million total value
1. Hurston Waldrep, RHP, 50 FV (77th on the Top 100)
2. Ignacio Alvarez, SS, 45+ FV (124)
3. Drake Baldwin, C, 45+ FV (125)
4. AJ Smith-Shawver, RHP, 45+ FV (159)
5. J.R. Ritchie, RHP, 45+ FV (165)
6. Spencer Schwellenbach, RHP, 45+ FV (172)
7. Luis Guanipa, CF, 45 FV
8. Jose Perdomo, SS, 40+ FV
9. Owen Murphy, RHP, 40 FV
10. Cade Kuehler, RHP, 40 FV
11. Drue Hackenberg, RHP, 40 FV
12. Diego Benitez, SS, 40 FV
13. Ambioris Tavarez, 3B, 40 FV
14. Dylan Dodd, LHP, 40 FV
15. Adam Maier, RHP, 40 FV
Notable 2023 graduations: RHP Bryce Elder
2024 impact: Waldrep
Above 40 FV breakout: Baldwin
40 FV breakout: Kuehler
Non-Top 100 scouting reports
Alvarez and Baldwin are both undervalued in the public realm, in part due to being relatively unknown when they were drafted, and they are both near the top of my personal picks to click list for the 2024 season. Alvarez was a late-rising SoCal junior college infielder (a player demographic that rarely goes in the top few rounds, so is often underscouted) in the 2022 class who went in the fifth round because of his standout hit tool. He was young for a junior college freshman, his hit tool and approach have played even better than expected as a pro, and he's either a passable shortstop or good third baseman defensively.
Baldwin was seen as an offensive-minded catcher at Missouri State, mostly as a middle-round pick type from a smaller school who could hit a little. It looks like he'll stick behind the plate and a late-season setup change to his swing has unlocked more power. He has a shot to post an above-average on-base percentage while hitting 20 homers and being fine defensively; not wildly different from Yankees catcher Austin Wells, who is the No. 82 prospect on my Top 100.
Since their international sanctions ended, the Braves have jumped into the seven-figure end of the pool for international signings with the two highest-profile additions coming in the last two signing classes: Guanipa ($2.5 million) and Perdomo ($5 million). Guanipa played in the Dominican Summer League in 2023 as a 17-year-old with solid numbers that belie the strong tools: plus-plus speed, potential plus center field defense, solid-average power potential and feel for both the bat head and the strike zone. Perdomo has been among the best players in his class for some time and easy for scouts to watch, playing in events in the United States, like this one in Georgia in 2020. He's a medium-framed player with good rather than flashy tools, but with exceptional polish for his age. Perdomo might have the best combination of hit, power and approach at the plate right now in the entire 2024 international class and has the hands to stay in the infield. If he performs early, he'll likely move quickly.
Smith-Shawver had a meteoric rise from High-A to the big leagues last season given that he was a two-way, dual-sport prospect in high school who had thrown very limited innings and had little polish when the Braves gave him $1 million in the 2021 seventh round. His stuff ticked up and his fastball command came together earlier than expected, but his solid-average offspeed stuff and command of it is about where it should be for a 21-year-old. Ritchie was long in the top tier of the loaded 2022 prep pitcher class as a projection/command type with solid-average stuff that would tick up in short bursts and seemed likely to improve in pro ball. He appeared to be making the leap onto my Top 100 with his stuff ticking up last season before Tommy John surgery ended his year; he may be back on the mound in the summer.
There are three former college pitchers who are now looking like future potential rotation pieces in this system. Schwellenbach was a two-way talent at Nebraska when the Braves drafted him as a pitcher in the 2021 second round, knowing that he'd need Tommy John surgery. He made his pro debut in 2023 and his stuff that looked electric in short stints in college was more above average than plus in longer stints -- he's now looking like a No. 3/No. 4 starter.
Kuehler and Hackenberg were the Braves' second and third picks in the 2023 draft. I had Kuehler ranked 48th and Hackenberg was 86th in my final rankings, but Hackenberg ($2 million) got nearly double Kuehler's signing bonus ($1.05 million). Hackenberg is a steady innings-eater starter type with solid-average stuff -- along the lines of current Brave Bryce Elder -- while Kuehler has more relief risk but has an easy plus fastball that works best at the top of the zone and will play in any role, He also has two 55-grade breaking balls, a changeup that flashes above average and good-enough command at the moment.
Miami Marlins
29th overall
29th in quality depth (prospects over 40 FV)
$82 million total value
1. Noble Meyer, RHP, 50 FV (76th on the Top 100)
2. Dax Fulton, LHP, 45+ FV (149)
3. Xavier Edwards, 2B, 45+ FV (153)
4. Thomas White, LHP, 45 FV
5. Victor Mesa Jr., CF, 40+ FV
6. Joe Mack, C, 40+ FV
7. Jacob Berry, 3B, 40 FV
8. Kemp Alderman, RF, 40 FV
9. Karson Milbrandt, RHP, 40 FV
10. Jacob Amaya, SS, 40 FV
11. Yiddi Cappe, SS, 40 FV
12. Dane Myers, CF, 40 FV
13. Brock Vradenburg, 1B, 40 FV
14. Luis Cova, CF, 40 FV
15. Patrick Monteverde, LHP, 40 FV
16. Ian Lewis, 2B, 40 FV
17. Andres Valor, CF, 40 FV
Notable 2023 graduations: RHP Eury Perez, RHP Max Meyer, CF Peyton Burdick, LHP Andrew Nardi, RHP George Soriano
2024 impact: Edwards
Above 40 FV breakout: White
40 FV breakout: Milbrandt
Non-Top 100 scouting reports
Fulton looked like a mid-first-round pick after the summer showcase season but required Tommy John surgery before his senior spring, so the Marlins took him 40th overall in 2020 and signed him to an overslot $2.4 million bonus. It is easy to see what they liked in the 6-foot-7 lefty with a plus breaking ball and mid-90s velo. He has since fine tuned his command, the shape of his fastball, and the quality of his changeup and looked primed to jump onto my Top 100 until a second elbow surgery was needed in June (though he opted for an internal brace procedure rather than another TJ).
White was the first high school pitcher from the class of 2023 to pop on national scouting radars. I first scouted him two years before he was eligible for the draft and I had known his name for at least a year before that because he was getting into the mid-90s with clear starter traits and feel for three pitches as a 6-foot-5 lefty prep underclassman. In the 12 months where MLB scouts focused heavily on White before the draft, his command wasn't good for at least half of his outings, but it was a sight to see when he was spotting three flashing-plus pitches. Given his bonus demands and the variance of team evaluations of him, White lasted until 35th overall and the Marlins gave him $4.1 million.
Milbrandt is the opposite of these two. He fell into the middle of the pack on the summer showcase circuit and was on the raw side. His velocity improved in the spring, regularly hitting the mid-90s and his curveball flashed above average while he had the raw pieces to project a starter, leading to Miami giving him $1.5 million in the third round in 2022. He's still not a finished product in terms of consistency and command but he has midrotation upside if/when it all clicks.
While the Marlins clearly like overslot prep pitchers, their type of position players runs the gamut. Edwards is a true 80-grade runner with little in-game power but a real feel for using his speed, in the Luis Castillo/Juan Pierre mold. Mesa Jr. ($1 million bonus) is the less-heralded younger brother of the hyped Victor Victor Mesa ($5.25 million bonus). Mesa Jr. has above average bat control, raw power (which he's now getting to in games), speed, defense in center field and arm strength; if he can improve his approach he may be a starter. Mack was the 31st overall pick in 2021 as an offensive-minded catcher -- his offense hasn't played as well as hoped, but the tools to be a starter are still there. Berry was the sixth overall pick in 2022, but his approach and power have been a notch worse than expected. Alderman was a second-rounder in the 2023 draft and has massive, plus-plus raw power along with sneaky, solid-average speed but scouts were concerned he wouldn't hit enough to get to his power in pro ball.
New York Mets
11th overall
5th in quality depth (prospects over 40 FV)
$235 million total value
1. Jett Williams, SS, 55 FV (31st on the Top 100)
2. Drew Gilbert, CF, 55 FV (39)
3. Luisangel Acuna, SS, 50 FV (58)
4. Ronny Mauricio, SS, 50 FV (72)
5. Ryan Clifford, RF, 50 FV (80)
6. Christian Scott, RHP, 50 FV (99)
7. Marco Vargas, 2B, 45+ FV (178)
8. Jacob Reimer, 3B, 45 FV
9. Blade Tidwell, RHP, 45 FV
10. Alex Ramirez, CF, 45 FV
11. Jeremy Rodriguez, SS, 45 FV
12. Kevin Parada, C, 40+ FV
13. Colin Houck, SS, 40+ FV
14. Mike Vasil, RHP, 40+ FV
15. Dominic Hamel, RHP, 40+ FV
16. Ronald Hernandez, C, 40 FV
17. Jesus Baez, SS, 40 FV
18. Jose Butto, RHP, 40 FV
19. Brandon Sproat, RHP, 40 FV
20. Nick Morabito, CF, 40 FV
21. Yovanny Rodriguez, C, 40 FV
22. Tyler Stuart, RHP, 40 FV
23. Joel Diaz, RHP, 40 FV
24. Nolan McLean, RHP, 40 FV
Notable 2023 graduations: C Francisco Alvarez, 3B Brett Baty, 3B Mark Vientos
2024 impact: Scott
Above 40 FV breakout: Reimer
40 FV breakout: Baez
Non-Top 100 scouting reports
Vargas and Hernandez were the eye-opening return New York got back for a few months of David Robertson in a trade deadline deal with Miami. Vargas is the prize here, getting to Low-A as an 18-year-old after the trade because, in 101 career short-season-level games, he posted 83 walks to 63 strikeouts while hitting almost .300 and racking up 35 extra base hits. He's not a great runner, isn't a shortstop and is just an OK second or third baseman defensively, but he's a plus hitter with plus pitch selection and feel to get to his average-ish raw power. This kind of prospect has a better chance to out-hit his projections or get to more power than expected due to an innate feel to hit. Hernandez is no slouch, a switch-hitting catcher who projects to stick behind the plate with margin for error, and he also nearly posted more walks than strikeouts while getting to Low-A as a teenager with enough hitting ability to become a low-end starter.
Rodriguez was another deadline acquisition, who signed for $1.2 million about six months before the Mets got him from Arizona for a few months of Tommy Pham. He fits into a similar category to Vargas and Hernandez: a deadline addition who was a strong short-season hitter with an excellent batting eye, hit-over-power approach and real defensive value -- but merely OK physical tools. There's a good chance that one of these three similar deadline acquisitions by Billy Eppler will yield a strong big leaguer, though it won't be soon.
Reimer was a known high school player but a second-tier prospect, as he was a clear non-shortstop with good-not-great power and a maxed-out frame. The Mets took him in the fourth round with a $775,000 bonus and he took a step forward in 2023, playing with a leaner build while maintaining his above-average raw power and also showing plus pitch selection. The pieces are in place for a 2024 jump into my Top 100 if he continues at this pace. Ramirez is a long-touted 6-foot-3 prospect who signed for $2.1 million as a 16-year-old in 2019. He improved his approach in 2023 (the main concern entering the season) but his power numbers regressed. He is a bit of an outfield tweener defensively as he'll only get bigger and likely slower, so 2024 could be key to defining his upside with his in-game power and defensive fit the main variables.
Houck was one of my favorite prep prospects early in the 2023 spring but it became clear later in the draft process that teams were concerned about his ability to pull and lift good stuff, even in batting practice, and what that might say about his long-term upside. He'll fit at shortstop or third base and has plus power potential, so if the hit tool plays, he could be very good. Parada grew from a second- or third-round prospect in high school into a clear high-first-round pick at Georgia Tech, though with clear weaknesses. He's just an OK catcher with a fringy arm and probably won't be an above-average hitter for contact. Unfortunately in 2023, his approach also was below average, which affected his ability to get to his plus power in games.
Tidwell popped up during the 2020 shutdown as a high school prospect who was throwing much harder but teams weren't prepared to meet his demands, so he went to Tennessee before going No. 52 overall two seasons later. His command is still a bit below average, but he's at least a multi-inning pitcher -- if not a starter -- and he has three above-average pitches when he's on. Vasil pulled his name out of the draft and went to Virginia out of high school despite having first-round buzz. He regressed a bit before showing flashes during his junior season and inexplicably fell to the eight round. He immediately made that draft day slide look silly and has settled in as a backend starter with solid-average stuff and command who should make his debut in 2024.
Hamel was a later-bloomer, going in the third round in 2021 as a 22-year-old power arm out of Dallas Baptist. He took a step forward in 2023, with his velo up a tick to help his fastball play above average while he also added more break to his slider. He's in the same maybe-starter command category as Tidwell, but can certainly go multiple innings. Butto made seven big league starts last year, so he's barely prospect eligible. His fastball plays fringy, so he relies on his command, changeup and cutter to get outs and will likely fit in a fifth starter/swing reliever role.
Sproat opted not to sign with the Rangers out of high school, then his velocity exploded into the triple digits in a relief role his freshman season at Florida. When he moved to the rotation full time as a junior, it looked like his command could hold up while his changeup started flashing plus -- but he again opted against signing, this time as a third-round pick of the Mets. He made more progress in 2023 with better command, a consistently plus changeup and improved breaking ball consistency. The Mets selected him again in the second round and this time he signed. Sproat also fits in that maybe-starter command bucket and is now 23 years old so he'll have to move fast. His long-term fit will be decided by whether his fastball plays to his upper 90s velo in games and if he can get his breaking ball to be consistently average or better.
Philadelphia Phillies
23rd overall
19th in quality depth (prospects over 40 FV)
$158 million total value
1. Andrew Painter, RHP, 60 FV (16th on the Top 100)
2. Mick Abel, RHP, 50 FV (78)
3. Justin Crawford, CF, 50 FV (108)
4. Starlyn Caba, SS, 45+ FV (158)
5. Aidan Miller, 3B, 45+ FV (167)
6. Bryan Rincon, SS, 45+ FV (175)
7. Eduardo Tait, C, 45 FV
8. Orion Kerkering, RHP, 45 FV
9. Gabriel Rincones Jr., LF, 40+ FV
10. Alex McFarlane, RHP, 40+ FV
11. Aroon Escobar, 2B, 40 FV
12. Robert Moore, 2B, 40 FV
13. William Bergolla, SS, 40 FV
14. Michael Mercado, RHP, 40 FV
15. Devin Saltiban, SS, 40 FV
16. Emaarion Boyd, CF, 40 FV
17. Griff McGarry, RHP, 40 FV
18. Nikau Pouaka-Grego, 2B, 40 FV
19. Christian McGowan, RHP, 40 FV
Notable 2023 graduations: CF Johan Rojas, 1B Darick Hall, 2B Kody Clemens, RHP Luis F. Ortiz
2024 impact: Kerkering
Above 40 FV breakout: Tait
40 FV breakout: Saltiban
Non-Top 100 scouting reports
The Phillies have a nice group of young position players with potential above-average upside if things click. Crawford has strong similarities to his father, Carl, as a top-of-the-scale runner with plus outfield defense, rare bat control from the left side -- but also a free-swinging approach. Cleaning up his approach and deciding if power or loft will be a part of his game are the things to watch as he moves through the minors. Caba has one of the best contact/approach combos amongst 18-year-olds on Earth while also being a standout, easily plus defender at shortstop and also a plus runner. The issue is that he has very little impact at the plate, admittedly something that has a chance to change given his age.
Miller was long a well-known name on the showcase circuit, in part because he was old for the 2023 prep class (a clear advantage) but also because he had a Josh Donaldson starter kit evident as early as age 16 with electric bat speed and a bat waggle to match. The Phillies selected him 27th overall after a spring marred by a broken hamate bone that dampened enthusiasm, but he's still the same guy who was a borderline top 10 overall pick before the ill-timed injury. Rincon has more modest tools than Caba, more like average -- give or take across the board -- but he did hit his way to High-A as a teenager with eight homers in 81 Low-A games. While Rincon's upside is lower, it's easier to see him becoming an everyday major leaguer. Tait has a fun carrying tool in his plus lefty raw power. He has feel for the bat head and the broad physical tools to stick behind the plate, but he turned 17 last summer so it's still very early.
There are three interesting infielders I'm keeping an eye on in the middle of this list. Escobar isn't too toolsy and has only played in the DSL, but he can really hit with an excellent approach while playing in the infield, so any positive development beyond that would have him looking like an everyday player. Bergolla signed for $2.3 million in 2022 and his broad toolset -- lefty bat, can really hit, shortstop fit -- jives with the bonus. He isn't that physical though and has very little pop, so he'll also need to level up once more for an everyday profile. Saltiban was the pleasant surprise of the MLB Draft League and the draft combine, showing above-average tools and strong wood bat performance in the Draft League. He was a late riser who played high school ball in Hawai'i, so we just have one summer worth of largely strong data but that's still not much.
Kerkering was the latest call-up to join the Phillies' parade of hard throwers with nasty breaking balls in the major league bullpen and he might have the best breaking pitch of them all, a true 80-grade mind bender. His 96-99 mph heater is also a plus pitch and his command is fine for one-inning late-game appearances but if it can improve a tick, he could be truly elite. I almost ranked him higher but the breaking-ball-reliant reliever isn't a profile that ages especially well.
McFarlane also has easy plus stuff and reliever-type command but the Phillies are taking it slower with him in longer outings to see what they have. McGarry also fits in this mold of plus fastball/breaker but below-average command. Mercado was acquired from the Rays this winter during the 40-man roster movement flurry. This is going to shock you, but ... he has a plus fastball and breaker in short stints with fringy command that keeps him from projecting as a starter.
Washington Nationals
16th overall
19th in quality depth (prospects over 40 FV)
$203 million total value
1. Dylan Crews, CF, 60 FV (5th on the Top 100)
2. James Wood, RF, 60 FV (11)
3. Brady House, SS, 50 FV (55)
4. Elijah Green, CF, 45+ FV (144)
5. Jarlin Susana, RHP, 45+ FV (151)
6. Daylen Lile, LF, 45+ FV (176)
7. Yohandy Morales, 3B, 45 FV
8. Robert Hassell, CF, 40+ FV
9. Victor Hurtado, CF, 40+ FV
10. Cole Henry, RHP, 40+ FV
11. Jake Bennett, LHP, 40 FV
12. Cristhian Vaquero, CF, 40 FV
13. Jeremy De La Rosa, RF, 40 FV
14. Kevin Made, SS, 40 FV
15. Nasim Nunez, SS, 40 FV
16. Travis Sykora, RHP, 40 FV
17. Drew Millas, C, 40 FV
18. Jackson Rutledge, RHP, 40 FV
19. Jacob Young, CF, 40 FV
20. Trey Lipscomb, 3B, 40 FV
21. Andrew Pinckney, RF, 40 FV
22. D.J. Herz, LHP, 40 FV
Notable 2023 graduations: RHP Cade Cavalli, RHP Jake Irvin, LF Stone Garrett, LHP Robert Garcia, LHP Jose A. Ferrer, RHP Thaddeus Ward, 2B Jake Alu
2024 impact: Crews
Above 40 FV breakout: Morales
40 FV breakout: Vaquero
Non-Top 100 scouting reports
Green was hyped from his sophomore year in high school, with huge tools from the son of an NFL tight end (Eric). He had plus-plus power and speed at 6-3, 225 pounds as a junior in high school, which is among the all-time best in terms of physical tools. When scouts beared down on him, there was some in-zone swing and miss concerns when he was trying to get to his power in games and that has borne out since the Nats took him fifth overall in 2022. His pitch selection is pretty solid, his raw power is still among the best in the entire minor leagues and he's still a strong runner. Green basically has to run high strikeout rates with his current setup so things could work out if he can dial in his launch angle to tap into his power more often He isn't a standout defender in center field and has more long speed than first-step quickness type. His defense, in-zone miss rate and loft are three key variables to solve for, but the upside is still very big.
There are three more position players to keep an eye on in this system. Lile was a second-round pick in 2021 as a hit-over-power corner outfielder with solid-average raw power. That's not the setup for a superstar, but he is tracking like a high-probability low-end starter. Hassell is a similar prospect now despite going No. 8 overall in 2020 out of a Tennessee high school. He was a secondary player in the Nats' return for Juan Soto and looked like a plus hitter with average power who could stick in center field early in his pro career. Now he is more of a solid-average hitter with 40-grade in-game power who can play a solid center field and that is still a useful player.
Morales was right there with current Orioles prospect Coby Mayo (No. 19 on my Top 100) as long-limbed prep infielders from South Florida in the 2020 MLB draft. Mayo signed that year while Morales went to Miami when his signing bonus price wasn't met. Mayo shortened his swing and improved defensively, and Morales had similar improvements after he turned pro last summer as the 40th overall pick. If Morales can dial in those adjustments, maybe a 50-grade bat and pitch selection with 20ish homers (rather than the 30 he might hit if he sold out for power), he and Mayo might end up as very similar players once again.
Susana was another secondary part of the 2022 Soto deal after getting a $1.7 million bonus from the Padres. He was a high-octane amateur arm that has been even more electric after signing, sitting 97-100 mph for basically his whole pro career. He is 6-6, 235 pounds with three plus pitches at times but either 20- or 30-grade command, depending on the day. If it clicks one day, look out.
Henry also has three plus pitches, but just 40-grade command that is playable in short stints now and might still improve a bit. He was limited by thoracic outlet syndrome last season but has a clean bill of health for 2024. Bennett was the 45th overall pick in 2022 as a potential quick-moving lefty starter with a plus changeup and good feel -- but 2023 Tommy John surgery will delay that MLB ETA. I was the low guy among draft analysts on Sykora for the 2023 draft (No. 88 on my board), when he signed for $2.6 million (the 35th-highest bonus in the draft) in the third round. I worry he's a reliever who may have maxed out physically and in stuff early in his career, but he is fun to watch when he is on: 6-foot-6, up to 100 mph, a plus breaker and some personality on the mound.
NL CENTRAL
Chicago Cubs
2nd overall
5th in quality depth (prospects over 40 FV)
$328 million total value
1. Pete Crow-Armstrong, CF, 55 FV (18th on the Top 100)
2. Cade Horton, RHP, 55 FV (30)
3. Matt Shaw, 2B, 55 FV (37)
4. Jordan Wicks, LHP, 55 FV (41)
5. Owen Caissie, RF, 55 FV (43)
6. Kevin Alcantara, CF, 50 FV (103)
7. Michael Busch, 3B, 50 FV (118)
8. James Triantos, 2B, 45+ FV (121)
9. Ben Brown, RHP, 45+ FV (161)
10. Moises Ballesteros, C, 45+ FV (166)
11. Jefferson Rojas, SS, 45 FV
12. Cristian Hernandez, SS, 45 FV
13. Fernando Cruz, SS, 40+ FV
14. Alexander Canario, RF, 40+ FV
15. Caleb Kilian, RHP, 40+ FV
16. Haydn McGeary, 1B, 40 FV
17. Michael Arias, RHP, 40 FV
18. Jaxon Wiggins, RHP, 40 FV
19. Luke Little, LHP, 40 FV
20. Brandon Birdsell, RHP, 40 FV
21. Will Sanders, RHP, 40 FV
22. Josh Rivera, SS, 40 FV
23. Brennen Davis, RF, 40 FV
24. Michael Carico, C, 40 FV
25. Porter Hodge, RHP, 40 FV
26. Derniche Valdez, SS, 40 FV
27. Matt Mervis, 1B, 40 FV
28. B.J. Murray Jr., 1B, 40 FV
29. Luis Vazquez, SS, 40 FV
30. Zachary Leigh, RHP, 40 FV
31. Nazier Mule, RHP, 40 FV
32. Riley Martin, LHP, 40 FV
33. Drew Gray, LHP, 40 FV
Notable 2023 graduations: RHP Hayden Wesneski, RHP Daniel Palencia, 3B Miles Mastrobuoni, C Miguel Amaya, RHP Javier Assad
2024 impact: Wicks
Above 40 FV breakout: Cruz
40 FV breakout: Carico
Non-Top 100 scouting reports
The Cubs have four position players in the 101-180 overall area, starting with Alcantara -- a 6-6 center fielder with the rare ability to create plus raw power, have above-average bat-to-ball skills along with some feel to get to his power in games. He can still get more loft to tap into his pop in games but his main offensive issue is chasing out of the zone. The good news is it's still early enough in his career to fix it. Busch is a finished product acquired recently from the Dodgers and he should plug into the Opening Day lineup at first base. Busch has dabbled with every position on the field except for shortstop and center field dating to when he went 31st overall in the 2019 draft, but he's just not going to be an average defender with real value at any position in my book. That's fine: he can mash and should post an above-average line at the plate this year.
Triantos can also mash with elite bat-to-ball ability and 20-homer upside but needs to lift his hard-hit balls more and he's just an OK defender at second and third base. Speaking of mashers with questionable defensive ability, we have Ballesteros. He's making progress behind the plate but still has real work to do. On the bright side, he hit his way to Double-A as a teenager due to plus bat-to-ball and plus raw power from the left side, so there's potential for impact if he can bridge the gap to an Alejandro Kirk type outcome.
Hernandez was touted as the best player in the 2021 international class when he got a $3 million bonus. He's still an above-average runner who should stick at shortstop with above-average bat speed and raw power. His in-game power hasn't shown up due to a flatter swing plane that also hasn't led to elite contact rates, so the offensive tools haven't equaled output just yet -- but he just turned 20 years old. Rojas signed for much less money in the next international class and has been more productive so far with a lower ceiling. He's a maybe shortstop with fringy speed but above-average bat-to-ball and average power upside.
Cruz just signed a few weeks ago for $4 million and was maybe the first player in the 2023-24 international class to pop (about three years ago). He is a compact-framed infielder with a good shot to stick at shortstop, above-average speed, feel to hit and power potential. Valdez signed for $2.8 million last January and is also a slick shortstop defender who is an above-average runner, but had an interesting pro debut in the DSL. He struck out in 41% of plate appearances, but hit six homers in 35 games. His chase and in-zone contact rates were worrisome while his power and loft metrics were nearly off the charts for his age. It's hard to predict where this is headed next, but I'm paying attention.
Brown is the only pitcher in that 101-180 range on this list and he'll probably be a big league option in 2024. He sits 94-97 mph and relies on a plus two-plane slider, but his fringy command and lack of a changeup mean he's likely a multi-inning type Swiss Army knife than a true starter. Little is fascinating because he is all extremes: 6-8, 220 pounds, a lefty who has reached 105 mph and his slider and splitter are plus when right. His command used to be 20-grade when he was sitting around 100 mph, but now it's acceptable when sitting at a mere 95-98 mph.
Lastly, we have my two breakout picks, both collegiate 2023 draft picks with some injuries holding them back. Wiggins (68th overall) missed the season due to Tommy John surgery but looked like a first-round pick before that, with a plus fastball/breaker combo and physical components to see a third pitch and/or command coming. Carico is a lefty-hitting catcher who can probably stick behind the plate and has 25-homer upside but played only 24 games in the spring at mid-major Davidson, so scouts didn't feel comfortable pounding the table before the Cubs got him in the fifth round, though he was comfortably inside the top 100 of my draft rankings.
Cincinnati Reds
10th overall
12th in quality depth (prospects over 40 FV)
$237 million total value
1. Noelvi Marte, 3B, 55 FV (35th on the Top 100)
2. Connor Phillips, RHP, 50 FV (54)
3. Rhett Lowder, RHP, 50 FV (65)
4. Chase Petty, RHP, 50 FV (70)
5. Sal Stewart, 3B, 50 FV (71)
6. Edwin Arroyo, SS, 50 FV (84)
7. Lyon Richardson, RHP, 45+ FV (127)
8. Ricardo Cabrera, SS, 45+ FV (132)
9. Cam Collier, 3B, 45+ FV (138)
10. Ty Floyd, RHP, 45 FV
11. Alfredo Duno, C, 40+ FV
12. Carlos Jorge, 2B, 40+ FV
13. Julian Aguiar, RHP, 40+ FV
14. Adolfo Sanchez, RF, 40 FV
15. Victor Acosta, SS, 40 FV
16. Sammy Stafura, SS, 40 FV
17. Leonardo Balcazar, SS, 40 FV
18. Ethan O'Donnell, CF, 40 FV
19. Cole Schoenwetter, RHP, 40 FV
20. Hector Rodriguez, 2B, 40 FV
21. Naibel Mariano, SS, 40 FV
22. Mat Nelson, C, 40 FV
23. Cade Hunter, C, 40 FV
24. Rece Hinds, RF, 40 FV
25. Christian Roa, RHP, 40 FV
26. Zach Maxwell, RHP, 40 FV
27. Carlos Sanchez, 3B, 40 FV
28. Jacob Hurtubise, CF, 40 FV
Notable 2023 graduations: SS Elly De La Cruz, 2B Matt McLain, 3B Spencer Steer, LHP Andrew Abbott, LHP Brandon Williamson, 3B Christian Encarnacion-Strand, RF Will Benson, RHP Fernando Cruz
2024 impact: Marte
Above 40 FV breakout: Cabrera
40 FV breakout: O'Donnell
Non-Top 100 scouting reports
Richardson was a projection/athleticism bet in the 2018 draft. He made it to the majors last season when his stuff spiked after he missed the 2022 season due to Tommy John surgery. He now sits 95-99 mph and his changeup is now also an easy plus pitch. Richardson's two breaking pitches flash average but are inconsistent and his fastball command is still a tick below what's needed to turn over a big league lineup, but he had midrotation upside. Floyd might have pitched well enough to sign out of high school in 2020 but his senior spring barely occurred, pushing him to LSU. He broke out in 2023, particularly during the Tigers' postseason run, leading to going 38th overall. His fastball shape and velocity are plus and his slider headlines his three offspeed offerings. It all adds up to a quick-moving profile with No. 3 starter upside -- and a slight whiff of Spencer Strider.
Schoenwetter went in the fourth round of the 2023 draft, for an above-slot bonus of $1.9 million, as a SoCal prep projection righty with above average stuff and starter traits. Maxwell is listed at 6-6, 275 pounds and has 35- or 40-grade command that could fit only in relief but has bonkers raw stuff: he sits 96-100 mph with bat-missing ride, for a plus-plus heater and his slider also tickles a plus-plus grade when it's right.
Cabrera was one of the top prospects in the 2022 international class, signing for $2.7 million as a maybe-shortstop with real offensive upside. He has above-average raw power projection with feel for in-game loft and feel to make the most of his average speed (21 stolen bases in 39 games). Cabrera will be 19 for the whole 2024 season and could jump into the Top 100 with a hot first few months in Low-A.
Collier stood out to scouts as early as his freshman year in high school in Georgia as the son of former big leaguer Lou, with an advanced feel to hit. He ended up leaving high school early to play in junior college at age 17, just like Bryce Harper did. Collier was solid against largely 20-21 year old pitchers and got an overslot $5 million bonus as the No. 18 overall pick in the 2022 draft. Scouts were worried that Collier's lateral quickness would cause him to move from third base to first base, which would waste his 70-grade arm strength, and the early reviews in pro ball have matched that. His raw power has ticked up in pro ball so he has 30-homer upside, but he doesn't lift the ball in games enough yet in addition to chasing out of the zone too much at the moment. Lateral quickness, loft, and chase rate are all things we've seen prospects solve and somewhat quickly, so I'm still optimistic Collier can turn things around.
Stafura was a spring riser in the 2023 draft class, as he grew into improved tools that reminded some of Trevor Story: above-average power potential, plus speed and a shortstop fit, but some hit tool questions. The Reds took him 43rd overall, giving him $2.5 million, and his 12-game pro debut wasn't good -- but this will likely be a longer-burn development. O'Donnell was a personal favorite in the 2023 class, ranking 78th in my pre-draft rankings but going 168th overall for still unclear reasons. He's an above-average hitter and plus runner who profiles in center field. He stood out to me because he also has enough pop to hit 10-15 homers and a bunch of doubles, showing that feel for enough loft to get that done in college. He had a strong pro debut with 10 extra base hits in 23 games, and I think 29 draft rooms may have gotten this one wrong.
Milwaukee Brewers
5th overall
12th in quality depth (prospects over 40 FV)
$276 million total value
1. Jackson Chourio, CF, 65 FV (2nd on the Top 100)
2. Jeferson Quero, C, 55 FV (32)
3. Jacob Misiorowski, RHP, 50 FV (46)
4. Tyler Black, 3B, 50 FV (51)
5. Joseph Ortiz, SS, 50 FV (91)
6. Brock Wilken, 3B, 50 FV (97)
7. Luis Lara, CF, 45+ FV (148)
8. Luke Adams, 3B, 45+ FV (163)
9. Robert Gasser, LHP, 45+ FV (164)
10. Eric Brown Jr. SS, 45 FV
11. Mike Boeve, 2B, 45 FV
12. Bradley Blalock, RHP, 45 FV
13. Josh Knoth, RHP, 40+ FV
14. Cooper Pratt, SS, 40+ FV
15. Logan Henderson, RHP, 40 FV
16. Carlos F. Rodriguez, RHP, 40 FV
17. Oliver Dunn, 2B, 40 FV
> 18. Yophery Rodriguez, CF, 40 FV
19. Matthew Wood, C, 40 FV
20. Eric Bitonti, 3B, 40 FV
21. Jadher Areinamo, SS, 40 FV
22. Dylan O'Rae, 2B, 40 FV
23. Jorge Quintana, SS, 40 FV
24. Juan Baez, SS, 40 FV
25. Bishop Letson, RHP, 40 FV
26. Wes Clarke, 1B, 40 FV
Notable 2023 graduations: CF Sal Frelick, LHP D.L. Hall, SS Brice Turang, CF Garrett Mitchell, RHP Abner Uribe, CF Joey Wiemer, 3B Andruw Monasterio, CF Blake Perkins
2024 impact: Chourio
Above 40 FV breakout: Lara
40 FV breakout: Henderson
Non-Top 100 scouting reports
As my Brewers' farm system rankings writeup lays out, Milwaukee has an underrated group of young talent around or at the big league level, but I wanted to use this space to spotlight some of the lower minors and/or more recently acquired position players. Lara signed for $1.1 million in the 2022 signing class and has beat expectations in pro ball, hitting his way to High-A as an 18-year-old. He's a switch-hitting outfield tweener with a plus arm that will play anywhere, a plus hit tool and strong strike zone discipline. The issue will be if he can stick in center field and/or develop the in-game power to fit at a corner; he's advanced and young enough that I both are still possible, but I'm more inclined to bet on center field.
Adams is the headliner of a strategy the Brewers are using that other teams are envious of: signing a number of local prep players for low six-figure bonuses late in the draft. There might be a bit of affinity for a hometown team but it also helps that the local colleges most of these prospects are committed to don't have the resources in baseball -- even in the Big 10 in many cases -- to rival pro ball. Adams signed for under $300,000 as a 2022 12th-round pick and had a loud season in Low-A last year, posting a .400 OBP, stealing 30 bases, and hitting 11 homers with exit velos that suggest there's more upside. He's on the third base/right field spectrum and his 6-4 height along with his swing suggests a lower average, but if he can add a bit more loft he has plenty of power and patience to profile as an every-day player.
Brown Jr., Boeve and Pratt all fit another type of prospect that Milwaukee has targeted in the draft: hit-over-power infielders without giant traditional tools, but strong feel for the game. Brown is a middle infielder who was undervalued in the 2022 draft due to coming from a mid-major (Coastal Carolina), having a frankly silly setup to his swing and not having big power or a clear long-term shortstop fit. Sometimes you have to focus on what a player can do though -- and he can hit and run and field and has some pop. Boeve is another mid-major college (Nebraska-Omaha) non-shortstop without big power but he shocked even the Brewers with his robust exit velos after signing last summer, so there's some hope he could be a steal at 54th overall. Pratt was seen as a very tough sign with late-first-to-second-round grades from some clubs, and the Brewers landed him in the sixth round for $1.35 million -- well below what some teams thought it would take. Pratt is a 6-foot-4 hit-first shortstop with 15-20 homer upside if it clicks, but may slide over to third base and may not be able to hit for both power and average against top-level pitching.
Gasser wasn't a big prospect at Houston in the 2020 draft, but broke out as a 22-year-old in 2021 before going 71st overall to the Padres. He was traded to the Brewers in the Josh Hader return (co-headlining the package with Esteury Ruiz) and his scouting report today is still pretty similar to in the 2021 draft: average-ish fastball with both a two- and four-seam version, a changeup that shows flashes as a solid fourth pitch, but he relies on two above-average breaking balls to turn over lineups. He should get an extended big league look in 2024 and seems like a strong bet to be a No. 4 starter.
Blalock is a slow-burn high school pick from 2019 who missed 2022 due to Tommy John surgery but came back better than ever last season. The Brewers acquired him from the Red Sox for Luis Urias at the trade deadline. Blalock's fastball has ordinary velocity at 93-95 mph but plays up as a plus pitch due to shape and command and he supports it by commanding three solid off-speed pitches. Now that he's on the 40-man roster and is past surgery, he might find his way to the big leagues in 2024 despite not getting out of A-Ball yet.
Rodriguez and Henderson aren't prototypical pitching prospects in terms of big stuff or draft spot/signing bonus but both have a strong chance to be big league factors. For Rodriguez, that could be as soon as 2024 since he carved up Double-A last season at age 21 despite being a sixth-round pick from a Florida junior college in 2021. He really knows how to pitch and get deep into games despite solid-average raw stuff headlined by a plus changeup and the Brewers' core competency is making the most of this sort of pitcher. Henderson has starter command and two above-average pitches in his riding four-seamer and changeup, but is working on getting his slider to average so he can profile as an innings eater.
Pittsburgh Pirates
14th overall
16th in quality depth (prospects over 40 FV)
$222 million total value
1. Paul Skenes, RHP, 60 FV (7th on the Top 100)
2. Termarr Johnson, 2B, 55 FV (34)
3. Jared Jones, RHP, 50 FV (53)
4. Thomas Harrington, RHP, 50 FV (98)
5. Bubba Chandler, RHP, 50 FV (112)
6. Tsung-Che Cheng, SS, 45+ FV (168)
7. Anthony Solometo, LHP, 45 FV
8. Jack Brannigan, 3B, 40+ FV
9. Quinn Priester, RHP, 45 FV
10. Mike Burrows, RHP, 45 FV
11. Hunter Barco, LHP, 45 FV
12. Lonnie White Jr., CF, 40+ FV
13. Mitch Jebb, 2B, 40 FV
14. Braxton Ashcraft, RHP, 40 FV
15. Kyle Nicolas, RHP, 40 FV
16. Jackson Wolf, LHP, 40 FV
17. Zander Mueth, RHP, 40 FV
18. Garret Forrester, 3B, 40 FV
19. Colin Selby, RHP, 40 FV
20. Shalin Polanco, CF, 40 FV
21. Estuar Suero, CF, 40 FV
22. Tres Gonzales, CF, 40 FV
23. Sean Sullivan, RHP, 40 FV
24. Jun-Seok Shim, RHP, 40 FV
Notable 2023 graduations: C Henry Davis, C Endy Rodriguez, SS Liover Peguero, 2B Ji-Hwan Bae, 3B Jared Triolo, RHP Carmen Mlodzinski, RF Josh Palacios, SS Alika Williams, LHP Jose Hernandez
2024 impact: Skenes
Above 40 FV breakout: Brannigan
40 FV breakout: Polanco
Non-Top 100 scouting reports
Chandler was a four-star quarterback recruit to Clemson in addition to being a switch-hitter and two-way pro prospect as a pitcher and shortstop, which he also had the option to do at Clemson. Getting $3 million at the top of the third round was enough to convince him to turn pro, with the vast majority of teams preferring Chandler on the mound where he flashed above average traits and raw stuff. After dabbling at the plate, he is now progressing well as a full-time pitcher with above-average stuff and command that is on track to be starter-quality in a season or two, though I don't think he has a plus quality beyond the fastball.
Solometo signed for $2.8 million in the same 2021 draft class as Chandler and succeeds more with feel, deception and command than raw stuff, but it seems like he has a shot to be a big league starter. His slider is his knockout pitch and if his fastball command progresses one more notch, he'll be ready to face big league hitters in some role. Barco was a late-first-round talent out of high school whose price wasn't met, then he needed Tommy John surgery during his draft spring at Florida. He flashed three above-average pitches at his best, but has made only nine pro appearances after surgery, so 2024 will tell us much more about what kind of pitcher he'll be going forward.
We're getting into crunch time for this rebuild and there's a bevy of 2024 big league pitching options on this list. Priester has a chance to break into the rotation and has morphed a bit from a big, projection type with stuff as a high schooler taken in the first round of the 2019 draft to a command-over-stuff type pitch models really don't like, but his stuff still looks solid to the eye. Burrows has shown three above-average pitches and starter command, but had Tommy John surgery in 2023 and won't return until at least the summer. Nicolas has three above-average pitches and below-average command. Ashcraft is delivering on the projection that saw him go in the second round in 2018, now sitting 94-96 mph and has similar stuff to Nicolas with a bit more feel. Wolf was acquired from San Diego last summer and is a lower-slot lefty with average stuff and good feel who could fit in multiple roles. Selby also has that same above-average fastball/breaking ball and fringy command profile while Sullivan is a backend starter/swingman type with above-average command of average stuff.
Pittsburgh also has some intriguing position players with everyday upside. Cheng had a great first half in High-A, posting a .406 OBP and hitting 9 homers in 57 games, then was more ordinary in Double-A with a .304 OBP and 4 homers in 66 games. He's a plus hitter with a good approach and some feel for lifting the ball in games, but his raw power is more of the 10-12 homers annually type. With plus speed, feel for stealing bases and a shortstop fit, Cheng has a good shot at being a low-end starter but could be an above-average one if he can get to 15 homers. Brannigan was an exciting, but raw two-way prospect with big tools out of Notre Dame that's now a full-time infielder on the shortstop/third base spectrum with a plus-plus arm that used to throw in the upper-90s on the mound. He has above-average raw power, average speed and enough feel for contact and approach to get to his power in games, but 2024 will be a big test where he'll be in the upper minors. We'll find out if he's a .230 or .250 hitter and if his pitch selection will hold up as he faces his age and prospect peers.
White Jr. was another exciting draft prospect with big tools but rather than being a two-way prospect, he was a dual-sport prospect with a Penn State commitment to play wide receiver and center field. $1.5 million got him to turn pro but he only played 11 games through the 2022 season due to multiple injuries but that led to a minibreakout in 2023. He profiles as a lower average hitter with power and patience, but that would make him an everyday player due to his plus-plus speed and above-average defense in center field. Jebb is the opposite, as a later-blooming collegiate draft with underwhelming pure tools and an extreme contact-oriented approach. He had a great debut after going 42nd overall, posting a .382 OBP with 17 walks, 11 strikeouts, and 9 extra base hits in Low-A. Jebb's plus-plus speed, likely second base fit, and on-base skills mean he doesn't need much power to be a useful big leaguer. Polanco signed for $2.35 million in the 2021 international signing class and made his full-season debut in 2023, hitting 12 homers and stealing 17 bases in 70 Low-A games. Polanco has above-average power potential and an average hit tool, but still chases a bit too much. If he can rein that in, he may have enough offense to profile as an every-day corner outfielder.
St. Louis Cardinals
18th overall
18th in quality depth (prospects over 40 FV)
$193 million total value
1. Masyn Winn, SS, 55 FV (20th on the Top 100)
2. Tink Hence, RHP, 50 FV (49)
3. Victor Scott, CF, 50 FV (101)
4. Tekoah Roby, RHP, 50 FV (104)
5. Thomas Saggese, 2B, 50 FV (110)
6. Chase Davis, RF, 45+ FV (147)
7. Michael McGreevy, RHP, 45 FV
8. Cooper Hjerpe, LHP, 45 FV
9. Leonardo Bernal, C, 45 FV
10. Gordon Graceffo, RHP, 40+ FV
11. Won-Bin Cho, RF, 40 FV
12. Jonathan Mejia, SS, 40 FV
13. Travis Honeyman, RF, 40 FV
14. Jimmy Crooks, C, 40 FV
15. Sem Robberse, RHP, 40 FV
16. Ryan Fernandez, RHP, 40 FV
17. Joshua Baez, RF, 40 FV
18. Zach Levenson, LF, 40 FV
Notable 2023 graduations: RF Jordan Walker, C Ivan Herrera, RF Alec Burleson, LHP Matthew Liberatore, LHP Zack Thompson, 1B Luken Baker, RHP Nick Robertson, 2B Jose Fermin, 3B Buddy Kennedy
2024 impact: Winn
Above 40 FV breakout: Hjerpe
40 FV breakout: Cho
Scott has another in a line of third-tier southeastern prep talents who have found success at West Virginia, with Alek Manoah the biggest example. Scott was 224th on my 2022 draft rankings, but with all of the high school players ahead of him who didn't sign, he was ranked pretty close to where he went: 157th overall, in the fifth round. He lasted that long because he didn't show much power (6 homers, .454 slugging in his draft year) and his strikeout rate (21%) was also close to the cutoff point that even power hitters in the SEC with that strikeout figure often don't hit in pro ball. So, the sales pitch was largely (plus-plus) speed and (plus) defense in center field and hope his overall athleticism starts translating more at the plate. Somehow, Scott's career professional strikeout rate is 16% with a .419 slugging and he's already made it to Double-A. He's continuing to make swing adjustments this winter and now looks like a plus hitter with a good approach and the speed to make it all play up, and something like 10-15 homers, which is excellent in this overall profile.
Saggese was acquired in the Jordan Montgomery trade deadline deal with the Rangers. He was a late-rising Southern California high school prospect ($800,000 in the 2020 fifth round -- the last round that year -- but multiple teams didn't turn in reports on him) with a feel for the game, but modest tools. Saggese is still largely that sort of player but seems to have maximized his performance. He's a below-average runner who is fine at second and third base and he still chases a bit too much at the plate, but here's the good parts: he has developed above-average feel for the bat head, raw power and feel for getting to that power in games. There's some Kevin Millar or Dan Uggla type stuff going on here and I think Saggese has a very high probability of being a solid big leaguer of some kind, probably at some point in 2024.
Davis was a notable high school prospect in the 2020 prep class out of Northern California, but his price wasn't met due to concerns about his hit tool in a corner-outfield profile, so he went to Arizona. He broke through in 2023 by hitting 21 homers with more walks than strikeouts, leading to the Cardinals taking him 21st overall. He now has enough bat-to-ball ability with his power and patience to profile as an everyday player, though I don't think there's star potential here. Bernal has been tracking as a potential everyday backstop since his pro debut, though he doesn't appear to have enough impact in-game power to jump into the Top 100 discussion. Cho signed in 2022 out of South Korea and made his full-season debut in 2023, stealing 32 bases and posting a .376 OBP. He has a pretty flat swing right now, but the pieces are here for above-average hit, power and patience in a corner outfield profile. Baez is a 20-year-old with plus-plus raw power and arm strength, but he has had trouble staying healthy and getting his power to show up in games.
Roby was part of the trade deadline farm system talent infusion as the co-headliner in the Montgomery deal. He was another prep 2020 draft signee, getting $775,000 in the third round. As a reminder, that is a draft that the Cardinals have already dominated, landing Jordan Walker, Masyn Winn, Tink Hence, and Alec Burleson with their first four picks. Roby has long been a favorite of mine because he knew how to use his above-average stuff as a prep underclassman but his size (6-1) and velo (low-90s at draft time) were never early-pick material. He now sits 94-96 mph with bat-missing shape and big league command of the pitch. His offspeed stuff grades closer to average but plays up due to his feel and there is No. 3 starter upside here if it all clicks.
McGreevy and Hjerpe are similar in that they were both collegiate first-round picks in back-to-back years and neither has massive velocity or raw stuff. McGreevy converted to the mound full time at UC Santa Barbara and has a big league starting pitcher look to him, with a plus slider and above-average command as the selling points, but likely profiles as an innings-eater rather than a frontline starter. Hjerpe is a lefty who throws from a lower slot with a four-pitch mix and feel for his craft, but his command has been surprisingly bad early in pro ball. The raw stuff is still above average and he has some deception and angle, so keeping it over the plate will allow him to unlock his third/fourth starter upside.
NL WEST
Arizona Diamondbacks
21st overall
24th in quality depth (prospects over 40 FV)
$168 million total value
1. Jordan Lawlar, SS, 60 FV (17th on the Top 100)
2. Tommy Troy, 3B, 50 FV (67)
3. Druw Jones, CF, 50 FV (100)
4. Jansel Luis, SS, 45+ FV (140)
5. Cristofer Torin, 2B, 45 FV
6. Cristian Mena, RHP, 45 FV
7. Jorge Barrosa, CF, 45 FV
8. Slade Cecconi, RHP, 45 FV
9. Yu-Min Lin, LHP, 40+ FV
10. Dylan Ray, RHP, 40+ FV
11. A.J. Vukovich, CF, 40 FV
12. Yilber Diaz, RHP, 40 FV
13. Adriel Radney, CF, 40 FV
14. Abdidas De La Cruz, SS, 40 FV
15. Christian Cerda, C, 40 FV
16. Gino Groover, 3B, 40 FV
17. Caden Grice, LHP, 40 FV
18. Jose Fernandez, SS, 40 FV
19. Blaze Alexander, SS, 40 FV
20. Blake Walston, LHP, 40 FV
21. Ruben Santana, 3B, 40 FV
22. Jack Hurley, CF, 40 FV
23. Grayson Hitt, LHP, 40 FV
24. Manuel Pena, 2B, 40 FV
25. Ricardo Yan, RHP, 40 FV
26. Ivan Melendez, 1B, 40 FV
27. Adrian Del Castillo, C, 40 FV
28. Andrew Saalfrank, LHP, 40 FV
29. Justin Martinez, RHP, 40 FV
30. Gian Zapata, RF, 40 FV
Notable 2023 graduations: CF Corbin Carroll, C Gabriel Moreno, RHP Brandon Pfaadt, RHP Ryne Nelson, RHP Luis Frias, RHP Drey Jameson, LHP Tommy Henry
2024 impact: Lawlar
Above 40 FV breakout: Luis
40 FV breakout: Diaz
Non-Top 100 scouting reports
Luis was one of the breakthrough talents in the Arizona complex league last summer, earning 35 games in Low-A as an 18-year-old. That makes it easy to compare him to the recent prep class from the 2023 MLB draft, and Luis stacks up favorably. He has above-average bat-to-ball ability from both sides of the plate, solid-average raw power potential, and enough quickness to profile at shortstop long term. The issue is that he chases out of the zone far too often, but that can be fixed this early in a pro career. He signed for $525,000 in the 2022 international class but would've been a mid first-round pick if he was a domestic prep player -- and that bonus would've been millions more.
Torin and Barrosa have some similarities as international signings who have hit-over-power profiles at the plate and up-the-middle defensive value. Torin is still 18 years old (from the same signing class as Luis) and had more walks than strikeouts in short-season ball, hitting over .320 at both stops and stealing a combined 36 bases in 76 games. He doesn't have much power and is a second base fit defensively, but he could move quickly. Barrosa did move quickly, getting to the upper minors at age 21, Despite his listed 5-foot-5, 165-pound frame, he has hit 25 homers with 37 stolen bases over the past two seasons, hitting .276 and .274 with near even walk/strikeout numbers. There is some doubt those figures will hold up in the big leagues, but his above-average defense in center field gives him a high floor. Vukovich was a fourth-rounder out of a Wisconsin high school with plus raw power and a hoops background. He looks like an outfield tweener with power who will post lower batting averages, maybe in the Adam Duvall mold.
Mena was just acquired from the White Sox for outfielder Dominic Fletcher, who became less needed in Arizona after the Joc Pederson signing. Mena has an average fastball but solid-average command of above-average offspeed stuff. Since he'll open the season in Triple-A at age 21, he should be a major league option by the second half but with a couple more seasons to see if his velo pops enough to become a clear bulk-inning starter.
Cecconi commands a fringy fastball well, with above-average breaking stuff, so he's settling in as a depth starter or swingman. Lin got to Double-A as he was turning 20 and is trending like a No. 4 starter, sitting 89-91 mph from the left side with above-average offspeed stuff and good feel. Ray was a power reliever in his draft year at Alabama, then converted to a starter in pro ball after going in the fourth round in 2022; he has solid average stuff and feel, so he's another backend type. Diaz has plus raw stuff, sitting at 95-97 mph with a good curve and slider, but his command needs to come along to be more than a late-inning reliever.
Colorado Rockies
22nd overall
7th in quality depth (prospects over 40 FV)
$161 million total value
1. Adael Amador, SS, 55 FV (33rd on the Top 100)
2. Chase Dollander, RHP, 50 FV (93)
3. Yanquiel Fernandez, RF, 45+ FV (126)
4. Dyan Jorge, SS, 45+ FV (155)
5. Drew Romo, C, 45 FV
6. Joe Rock, LHP, 45 FV
7. Jordy Vargas, RHP, 45 FV
8. Jordan Beck, RF, 45 FV
9. Sterlin Thompson, RF, 45 FV
10. Cole Carrigg, C, 45 FV
11. Zac Veen, RF, 40+ FV
12. Hunter Goodman, C, 40+ FV
13. Benny Montgomery, CF, 40+ FV
14. Robert Calaz, RF, 40+ FV
15. Warming Bernabel, 3B, 40 FV
16. Gabriel Hughes, RHP, 40 FV
17. Jaden Hill, RHP, 40 FV
18. Sean Sulivan. LHP, 40 FV
19. Ashly Andujar, SS, 40 FV
20. Jackson Cox, RHP, 40 FV
21. Ryan Ritter, SS, 40 FV
22. Jack Mahoney, RHP, 40 FV
23. Carson Palmquist, LHP, 40 FV
24. Angel Chivilli, RHP, 40 FV
25. Kyle Karros, 3B, 40 FV
26. McCade Brown, RHP, 40 FV
27. Michael Prosecky, LHP, 40 FV
28. Victor Vodnik, RHP, 40 FV
29. Derek Bernard, 2B, 40 FV
Notable 2023 graduations: SS Ezequiel Tovar, LF Nolan Jones, CF Brenton Doyle, RF Sean Bouchard, 1B Michael Toglia, RHP Gavin Hollowell, RHP Noah Davis
2024 impact: Rock
Above 40 FV breakout: Fernandez
40 FV breakout: Mahoney
Non-Top 100 scouting reports
I'll always be slower to get on board with Fernandez's type of player than other evaluators. He's a 6-foot-2 lefty hitter with huge raw power -- something like 30-35 home runs annually if things click -- and he belted 25 last season. What worries me is his swing rate (57%, about 10% worse than average) and chase rate (rate of swinging at pitches outside the zone: 38%, about 12% worse than average) are in the danger zone of tanking his average, on-base percentage and slugging against big league caliber pitching. On top of that, he is a below-average runner with a fringy arm and below-average defensive ability in a corner outfield spot. He does have some innate bat-to-ball ability, and he's still young enough to get those swing and chase rates to around average, along with lifting the ball more to actualize his upside. But that's a lot of ifs for me.
Jorge is a classic long, lanky, smooth shortstop prospect with all the tools and physical projection to imagine more coming. He has played only 49 games in full-season ball, but he has already shown above-average bat-to-ball ability, pitch selection and power potential, though he doesn't lift the ball much at the moment. Romo is a standout defender with a plus-plus arm and plus bat control. He doesn't have much in-game power right now, which is harmed by his high chase rate. The offensive bar to clear for catchers is low, so one adjustment could put him back on the Top 100.
Thompson has dabbled at second and third base along with both corner outfield spots, and I wouldn't be surprised if he tries some first base soon. He's a solid hitter with 20-ish home run potential and a feel for lifting the ball, so he has low-end every-day upside. Beck has a tick more raw power and even more feel for lifting the ball in games, along with being a bit better corner outfield defender, but he has less innate bat-to-ball ability. Carrigg is a pick to click for some from the 2023 draft class due to his ability to play catcher, shortstop, and center field and thus really every spot on the field including pitcher given his plus-plus arm. He would be my second pick from this group, but if he can dial in his chase rate a bit, he may be in the Top 100 discussion next winter.
Veen has been a bit of an enigma since going as the No. 9 pick in the 2020 draft. The belief at that point was that he'd add a lot of strength to his 6-foot-3 frame, move to a corner-outfield spot, or maybe even first base, and be a middle-of-the-order force. That hasn't happened so now he's an outfielder tweener of sorts who is still a plus runner but without much in-game power. He's also not hitting for average. He played through a hand injury before it ended his 2023 season, so I'm ready to revise my evaluation, but I've seemingly been wrong about how Veen's path would play out since he was drafted.
Vargas had his Tommy John surgery announced in 2023 (along with Jackson Cox) just as he was having a breakthrough season with some Top 100 vibes to it. He's a 6-foot-3 right-hander who flashes three above-average pitches and starter traits, though it was still early to see precision within the strike zone. On the other hand, some teams flagged Rock's delivery for injury risk when Colorado took him 68th in the 2021 draft, but Rock has made at least 20 starts in each of his two full minor league seasons. He should open in Triple-A and projects as a No. 4 starter, with solid-average stuff and command. Mahoney is an arm to watch with starter traits and an above-average fastball/slider combination.
Los Angeles Dodgers
8th overall
1st in quality depth (prospects over 40 FV)
$247 million total value
1. Josue De Paula, RF, 50 FV (68th on the Top 100)
2. Dalton Rushing, C, 50 FV (75)
3. Diego Cartaya, C, 50 FV (85)
4. Nick Frasso, RHP, 50 FV (86)
5. Andy Pages, RF, 50 FV (87)
6. River Ryan, RHP, 50 FV (102)
7. Joendry Vargas, SS, 50 FV (106)
8. Eduardo Quintero, CF, 50 FV (115)
9. Oswald Osorio, SS, 45+ FV (141)
10. Justin Wrobleski, LHP, 45+ FV (169)
11. Kyle Hurt, RHP, 45+ FV (179)
12. Thayron Liranzo, C, 45 FV
13. Emil Morales, SS, 45 FV
14. Trey Sweeney, SS, 45 FV
15. Kendall George, CF, 45 FV
16. Payton Martin, RHP, 45 FV
17. Jackson Ferris, LHP, 45 FV
18. Rayne Doncon, 3B, 40+ FV
19. Jake Gelof, 3B, 40+ FV
20. Jeral Perez, SS, 40+ FV
21. Gavin Stone, RHP, 40 FV
22. Maddux Bruns, LHP, 40 FV
23. Peter Heubeck, RHP, 40 FV
24. Ronan Kopp, LHP, 40 FV
25. Yeiner Fernandez, C, 40 FV
26. Samuel Munoz, RF, 40 FV
27. Landon Knack, RHP, 40 FV
28. Alexander Albertus, SS, 40 FV
29. Kyle Nevin, 3B, 40 FV
30. Hyun-Seok Jang, RHP, 40 FV
31. Dylan Campbell, RF, 40 FV
32. Reynaldo Yean, RHP, 40 FV
33. Chris Campos, RHP, 40 FV
34. Alex Freeland, SS, 40 FV
35. Chris Newell, RF, 40 FV
36. Austin Gauthier, 2B, 40 FV
37. Jesus Tillero, RHP, 40 FV
38. Arnaldo Lantigua, RF, 40 FV
39. Jesus Galiz, C, 40 FV
40. Ricky Vanasco, RHP, 40 FV
Notable 2023 graduations: RHP Bobby Miller, CF James Outman, RHP Emmet Sheehan, 3B Miguel Vargas, RHP Michael Grove, RHP Gus Varland
2024 impact: Ryan
Above 40 FV breakout: George
40 FV breakout: Heubeck
Non-Top 100 scouting reports
Prepare for the wackiest rise to near-Top 100 prospect I've ever seen. Ryan was the lesser-known younger brother of Ryder Ryan (who made a brief MLB debut in 2023 with Seattle) but now River is a real prospect. I knew Ryder as a prep underclassman with big two-way tools as a catcher and pitcher who became a full-time pitcher at North Carolina and turned pro in 2016. I first scouted River in 2017 at a collegiate summer league after his freshman year at UNC Pembroke where he was primarily a position player. The Padres took him in the 11th round of the 2021 draft a month before he turned 23. He played only as an infielder that summer with San Diego, then switched to pitching after being traded to the Dodgers before the 2022 season to the Dodgers.
I heard positive buzz in 2022 that he had a quick arm and his stuff was better than expected, with the athleticism to throw strikes, and he ranked 35th on last year's Dodgers list. In 2023, he became a key part of a loaded Double-A pitching staff before finishing the season strong in Triple-A. There's some buzz that the Dodgers think he is the best pitcher in their org who hasn't reached the majors yet. Scouts are enthusiastic while the advanced pitching data absolutely loves him. Some think he has four potential plus pitches (including a 95-98 mph fastball and a 88-90 mph slider) with big league-ready command of at least two of them.
Wrobleski has also taken a winding road and could have four plus pitches. But he has a bit less command so some project him more as a multi-inning type than a true starter. He was a prep pitcher of note who opted to go to Clemson, then a Florida junior college, then Oklahoma State -- where he needed Tommy John surgery in May of 2021 -- but the Dodgers signed him in the 11th round a few months later. By 2023, he was throwing strikes in High-A, and he has a shot to be in the big leagues in 2024. Hurt took a similar path to Wrobleski and is big league-ready and can show three plus pitches in short stints.
Hurt was drafted out of a San Diego area high school, then went to USC and was slightly disappointing leading up to going to the Marlins in the fifth round of the 2020 draft. He was eventually traded to the Dodgers as part of the Alex Vesia/Dylan Floro deal before the 2021 season. Martin is the latest pop-up arm in the system, as a 2022 17th rounder out of a North Carolina high school. He was little-known at that point but popped for scouts during his pro debut in 2023, sitting at 94-96 mph at Low-A and mixing in an above-to-plus breaking ball with the broad traits to project him as a starter. Cue the "someone has to stop him" GIF.
Vargas is a 6-foot-4 shortstop who signed for $2.1 million last January and followed with a big pro debut in the DSL this summer: seven homers, 19 stolen bases and almost as many walks as strikeouts. He might not be a long-term shortstop, but that's not really the point: He could have 30-homer upside if he outgrows the position and slides over to third.
Quintero also nearly had more walks than strikeouts in the DSL and posted five homers and 22 stolen bases. He's a hit-over-power type with solid-average power potential and the tools to stick in center field long term. These two may be compared for years to come. Osorio was in the DSL in 2022 and played well in the domestic complex league in 2022. He's a notch behind the other two as there's some in-zone swing and miss, but not that far because he's shown arguably the most power and patience of the group while also being a lefty-hitting potential shortstop. The Dodgers' international scouting is on a heater right now.
Liranzo, Morales and George all have a good shot to jump into the Top 100 or at least the top 180 (45+ FV tier) next winter. Liranzo has some innate in-zone swing and miss but hit 24 homers as a teenager in Low-A last year with exit velos to match. So you're getting production, along with a 16% walk rate, for that 27% strikeout rate. He's improving behind the plate but there's also still some work to do defensively to stick long-term. Morales signed last month for $1.9 million and as a 6-foot-3, right-handed hitting infielder with Vargas' general profile of being a "maybe shortstop" with big raw power potential and innate feel for the barrel. George is a true 80-grade runner with plus center field defense and bat-to-ball ability. His pitch selection was strong in his pro debut, as well, but the question is whether power will become part of his game, though there's enough raw strength to see 10-12 homers annually if things click.
San Diego Padres
4th overall
9th in quality depth (prospects over 40 FV)
$284 million total value
1. Ethan Salas, C, 60 FV (9th on the Top 100)
2. Jackson Merrill, SS, 60 FV (12)
3. Robby Snelling, LHP, 50 FV (59)
4. Drew Thorpe, RHP, 50 FV (64)
5. Leodalis de Vries, SS, 50 FV (73)
6. Dylan Lesko, RHP, 50 FV (88)
7. Jairo Iriarte, RHP, 50 FV (109)
8. Dillon Head, CF, 50 FV (116)
9. Jakob Marsee, CF, 45+ FV (173)
10. Adam Mazur, RHP, 45+ FV (177)
11. Graham Pauley, 3B, 45 FV
12. Samuel Zavala, RF, 45 FV
13. Randy Vasquez, RHP, 45 FV
14. Nathan Martorella, 1B, 40+ FV
15. Ryan Bergert, RHP, 40 FV
16. Austin Krob, LHP, 40 FV
17. Homer Bush Jr., CF, 40 FV
18. Rosman Verdugo, SS, 40 FV
19. Humberto Cruz, RHP, 40 FV
Notable 2023 graduations: 3B Eguy Rosario, RHP Jhony Brito, RHP Pedro Avila, RHP Alek Jacob, LHP Tom Cosgrove, C Brett Sullivan, 2B Matthew Batten
2024 impact: Merrill
Above 40 FV breakout: Head
40 FV breakout: Bergert
Non-Top 100 scouting reports
Iriarte didn't make last year's 37-player deep Padres list, but within a few months I started hearing that he looked like a different pitcher and should be in the top 10. It was comforting to me that I didn't totally whiff on last winter's evaluation because Iriarte's average fastball velocity had jumped from 92.7 to 95.7 mph with his slider velo also increasing the same amount. By one team's pitch grading algorithm, his fastball grade jumped eight points on the 20-80 scale and his slider jumped 10 points. He now has those two plus pitches and a solid-average changeup with enough command to turn over a big league lineup, but it's more fringy than above average at the moment.
Mazur, Bergert and Krob have also taken unusual paths to likely becoming solid big leaguers. Mazur transferred from South Dakota State to Iowa for his draft year and had a strong but uneven season. He showed enough upside to go No. 53 in the 2022 draft and pitched well in Double-A in 2023, showing solid-average stuff with above-average control. Bergert was a 2021 sixth-round pick out of West Virginia but didn't pitch in college that season as he was recovering from Tommy John surgery; he did pitch right after signing. He was good in 2022 and better in 2023, setting him up for a potential big league debut in 2024 with decent command of solid-average stuff.
Krob signed as a 22-year-old out of TCU in 2022 and is now a starter after playing multiple roles in Fort Worth. Like the rest of this group, Krob now has a solid-average three-pitch mix and as a lefty with a good slider, he can fit in almost any big league role as his command is good but not great.
Head was a standout on the summer showcase circuit, a rare 80-grade runner with a real approach and some pop at the plate. He got lost in the glut of prep position players in the back half of the first round, making it to the Padres at the 25th pick. Early returns have been very positive, with excellent contact rates and low chase rates along with higher exit velos than expected. If he can lift the ball a bit more often and maintain this level of performance for the 2024 season, he'll be in the middle of the Top 100 list by midseason. Bush is obviously the son of Homer Sr. and is probably more of a platoon/reserve type but has 80 speed, some pop and feel for contact, so the raw tools are very intriguing.
Marsee, Martorella and Pauley are from a new subset of player the Padres are starting to find in the draft: undervalued college position players -- in this case, all from the 2022 draft. Marsee was a 2022 sixth-round pick out of Central Michigan who was seen as a well-rounded outfielder but without much impact. His hit tool and approach were both a couple notches better than expected and he's been getting to his decent power in games. He's a good but not great defender in center but is a plus runner, so he profiles as a really good fourth outfielder who could find his way into being a low-end regular.
Martorella got attention for hitting behind second-rounder Dylan Beavers in college, but he lasted until the fifth round in 2022 due to being an underpowered first base-only type with a funny setup at the plate. His hit tool and approach both have been better than expected and he hit 19 homers last season. He's likely a platoon type in the end. Pauley was the Padres' 13th-round pick out of Duke in 2022 and got to Double-A in 2023. Stop me if you've read this before, but he was seen as a non-impact type before his hit tool along with pitch selection were better than expected in pro ball. He has also been getting to his power -- hitting 23 homers last season across three levels while also topping .300 at each. He fits best at third base but can passably play second or any corner and seems like he'll get big league time at some point in 2024.
San Francisco Giants
15th overall
13th in quality depth (prospects over 40 FV)
$207 million total value
1. Marco Luciano, SS, 55 FV (26th on the Top 100)
2. Kyle Harrison, LHP, 55 FV (36)
3. Carson Whisenhunt, LHP, 50 FV (66)
4. Bryce Eldridge, 1B/RHP, 50 FV (96)
5. Mason Black, RHP, 50 FV (120)
6. Aeverson Arteaga, SS, 45+ FV (157)
7. Rayner Arias, CF, 45+ FV (162)
8. Keaton Winn, RHP, 45 FV
9. Hayden Birdsong, RHP, 45 FV
10. Reggie Crawford, LHP/1B, 45 FV
11. Walker Martin, SS, 45 FV
12. Trevor McDonald, RHP, 45 FV
13. Wade Meckler, CF, 40+ FV
14. Joe Whitman, LHP, 40 FV
15. Landen Roupp, RHP, 40 FV
16. Diego Velasquez, 2B, 40 FV
17. Grant McCray, CF, 40 FV
18. Carson Seymour, RHP, 40 FV
19. Cole Foster, SS, 40 FV
20. Maui Ahuna, SS, 40 FV
21. Josh Bostick, RHP, 40 FV
22. William Kempner, RHP, 40 FV
23. Jhonny Level, SS, 40 FV
24. Onil Perez, C, 40 FV
25. Quinn McDaniel, 2B, 40 FV
26. Gerelmi Maldonado, RHP, 40 FV
Notable 2023 graduations: C Patrick Bailey, CF Luis Matos, RF Heliot Ramos, 3B Casey Schmitt, RHP Ryan Walker, RHP Sean Hjelle, RHP Tristan Beck, C Blake Sabol, 2B Brett Wisely
2024 impact: Harrison
Above 40 FV breakout: Birdsong
40 FV breakout: Bostick
Non-Top 100 scouting reports
Black was a third-round pick out of Lehigh in 2021 who has made steady progress in pro ball growing into his third/fourth starter profile. He has an above-average fastball (both two- and four-seamers) and slider as his bread and butter along with a solid average changeup. He split the season between Double-A and Triple-A and seems likely to join Kyle Harrison as a rookie in the rotation at some point. Winn pitched 42⅓ innings in the big leagues last season so he technically will also join that group, relying on his knockout, plus-plus splitter. Winn's fastball plays solid average at 94-97 mph and his slider is also a bit above average. The pieces are here for a No. 3 or No. 4 starter and possibly soon.
Birdsong had a quick rise from being a 2022 sixth-round pick out of Eastern Illinois to pitching in Double-A the next season. He has a plus heater at 94-96 mph and an above-average slider with good-not-great command, so he may break into the big leagues in shorter stints. Crawford was a 2022 first-rounder who didn't pitch in his draft spring due to Tommy John surgery but neared triple digits the summer before for Team USA while mixing in a plus breaking ball. He threw only 19 innings this season in his pro debut and looked about like that amateur scouting report. His third pitch, command and durability will need to come on for him to project as more than a setup guy. Bostick was a late riser in the 2023 draft process, going in the eighth round and getting $400,000 out of a Texas junior college in large part due to his strong performance and excellent data in the Cape Cod League just before the draft. He is now sitting in the upper-90s with a bat-missing flat approach angle, so keep an eye on his low minors strikeout numbers.
Arteaga has the makings of a Top 100 prospect, with solid-average speed, a long-term shortstop fit and enough power to hit 31 homers over the past two seasons while being young for each level. His contact skills are above average, though he needs to cut down on his chase rate a bit. Scouts are skeptical he will continue to produce at that level against big league pitching. To that end, Arteaga was eligible to be picked in the Rule 5 draft this year. Even though it's rare for a position player who hasn't played in Double-A to be picked, he would've been taken if he was truly a Top 100 talent. A few players like Arteaga are passed over each year then have a huge breakout year the next season, so that could be the case here.
Arias signed for $2.7 million last January and had a strong pro debut in the DSL last summer: 15 walks, 11 strikeouts, 12 extra base hits, and four stolen bases in 16 games. The buzz in Arizona after he signed was that he looked even better than the bonus suggests already, and his DSL stats and underlying TrackMan data supports that. He is showing the soft skills of pitch selection and in-game loft while we already knew he has the bat control, bat speed and power from his amateur days; he'll likely end up in right field but will play in center field for now.
Martin was a spring riser in the muddled 2023 prep position player class, helped a bit by facing poor competition in Colorado but responding by hitting dingers at a dizzying pace. He's a maybe-shortstop with sneaky plus speed, above-average raw power and a pretty left-handed swing but could be a slower burn given his background. Meckler was one of the revelations of the Giants' system, going from High-A to the big leagues a year after he was taken in the eighth round out of Oregon State. He fits in the classic fourth-outfielder profile of a defensive tweener with good instincts who can really hit and has passable power. I also have to mention my namesake McDaniel, a fifth-round pick out of Maine, who fittingly is an overperforming grinder with feel for the game but ordinary tools.