How’s My Driving? | FanGraphs Baseball

FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade 1 Yoán Moncada INF CHW 21.7 14.4 83 70 50 I had a scout I belief warn me that Moncada wasn’t a do-everything participant and that rating him this excessive was silly. That turned out to be true (although that scout additionally thought Cristian Pache was going to be God-like), and Moncada has been a irritating paragon of inconsistency since his debut. Most of Moncada’s output is tied up in his two massive seasons in 2019 and 2021. He’s had strikeout issues and has solely exceeded 20 homers as soon as. He did do nicely sufficient that I received my podcast guess with Carson Cistulli that Moncada’s finest 12 months would exceed Gavin Cecchini’s profession WAR, however I used to be so fixated on every little thing however his hit device that I (and everybody however Keith, principally) over-projected him. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade 2 Andrew Benintendi OF BOS 22.6 13 100 65 50 Benintendi was excessive on everybody’s checklist largely as a result of he was such a high-floored prospect, and certainly he turned fairly participant in a short time. As a gaggle we possibly ought to have cared extra about his lack of measurement and energy, which capped his ceiling beneath that of the Devers and Bellinger varieties. That is an athlete whose bodily peak got here at age 23, and who has solely had one above-average season since then, producing extra like a mean common in the course of the analysis window. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade 3 Amed Rosario SS NYM 21.2 7.6 193 65 45 Rosario’s reckless method undermined his implausible pure really feel to hit and held his offensive efficiency within the average-to-below vary throughout his pre-free company window. Not like loads of gamers from the 2017 rookie class, Rosario by no means had that massive season or two that might have made up for his couple of lackluster campaigns, together with his 2023 stroll 12 months. He additionally isn’t an particularly good defensive shortstop. Although I nailed his hit device projection, I underrated the impression of Rosario’s free-swinging method and over-projected his protection. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade 4 Dansby Swanson SS ATL 23.0 21.2 38 65 60 Monitoring extra like a 45- or 50-grade participant till the shortened 2020 season, Swanson’s energy leveled up in his late 20s, culminating in a monster contract 12 months with the Braves in 2022. He didn’t fairly hit the FV projected of him (had he hit for extra energy earlier in his profession, like Matt Chapman, he would have), however he nonetheless turned a star. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade 10 Anderson Espinoza RHP SDP 18.9 0 DNQ 60 35+ Proper after this checklist was printed, Espinoza suffered a uncommon sequence of accidents that prevented him from pitching once more till 2021. He was most likely over-projected impartial of damage, and I can’t say I’d rank an A-ball arm this excessive once more partially as a result of Espinoza helped me be taught my lesson. On the time (I used to be at Espinoza’s final spring outing earlier than he began getting harm time and again), he was exhibiting three plus pitches and I used to be projecting that his command would enhance sufficient for him to be an impression starter. His arm energy has been extra common of late and his command by no means actually arrived. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade 11 Ozzie Albies 2B ATL 20.1 18.9 47 60 60 This one was a bullseye, and Albies might need been one of many 5 best participant from this rookie class had he had a wholesome 2022. The best way he did it was totally different than I projected, as I had a contact-oriented profile forecast for him. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade 12 Yadier Álvarez RHP LAD 20.9 0 DNQ 60 Bust My very first day as a full-time baseball author was spent at Camelback Ranch watching Reds and Dodgers prospects in prolonged spring coaching. That was the primary time I noticed Álvarez in individual, and it was unbelievable. He was unfastened and fluid, extremely projectable, and already sitting within the mid-to-upper 90s at 20 years previous. He was rather more proficient and projectable than the standard faculty pitcher going close to the highest of the draft, and I misplaced my thoughts. I used to be not alone, as I turned conscious that there have been a number of high-ranking executives who, both simply earlier than or simply after he signed, had top-of-the-scale grades and projections on Yadi. The cracks in his command didn’t start to point out till the again half of 2017, after which cracks additionally confirmed in Álvarez’s coachability, to the purpose that the Dodgers needed to self-discipline him. He barely pitched within the 2019-2021 window, elected free company after the 2022 season and hasn’t been signed. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade 13 Cody Bellinger 1B LAD 21.6 21.7 37 60 60 With greater than a 3rd of his profession output tied up in his unbelievable 2019 season, Bellinger was monitoring like a 70 earlier than he harm his shoulder celebrating throughout Recreation 7 of the 2020 NLCS. Billed as a prospect with hit device threat, Bellinger’s big breakout got here when he reduce his Okay% into the teenagers. His profession Okay% is near the massive league common, whereas Bellinger has gotten to all the energy and been each bit as nice a defender as was projected. After two years of dour efficiency, he bounced again and made his prospect projection correct together with his massive 2023. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade 18 Francis Martes RHP HOU 21.2 0.2 DNQ 60 Bust In 2014, Houston traded Jarred Cosart, Enrique Hernández and Austin Wates to Miami for Martes, Colin Moran, and Jake Marisnick. Martes had a 2.73 FIP in a full season at Triple-A the 12 months previous to this prospect rating and seemed like a slam dunk star. He struggled with walks however struck out practically 40% of opposing hitters his rookie season. He had TJ the next 12 months, then had a PED suspension in every of the following two years. He was launched in 2021 and has been pitching in international leagues since then. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade 19 Lucas Giolito RHP CHW 22.5 14 48 60 50 Giolito had two or three seasons the place he peaked because the Man who everybody although he’d be, but it surely took a mechanical overhaul and the introduction of two new pitches for him to do it, together with the changeup that might grow to be his finest providing by far. We’ve to take Giolito’s early-career, replacement-level struggles under consideration as we assess him right here, in addition to the little dip he’s skilled of late. He supplies an amazing educating second in fastball/breaking ball interaction and utility, as a result of his curveball was so massive and cartoonishly crazy that massive league hitters had no bother figuring out the pitch that had made so many highschool and minor league hitters appear to be dorks. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade 20 Corey Ray OF MIL 22.4 0 DNQ 60 Org I thought-about Ray to be the very best prospect within the 2016 draft and for a minute, that felt right. In 2017, Ray hit 34 homers and stole 61 bases whereas largely taking part in at Double-A. He was putting out 30% of the time, nevertheless, and that ought to have been a clue that his hit device was suspect sufficient to make his massive league forecast really feel precarious. There was an enormous studying alternative for me right here relating to bat path. Ray’s swing was so lengthy that he was continuously swinging beneath fastballs within the up-and-away portion of the strike zone. Righty fastballs usually end in that location, and when you’re a left-handed hitter with this explicit gap in your swing, it tends to be a nasty factor. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade 22 Rafael Devers 3B BOS 20.3 21.2 38 55 60 Three of Devers’ first 4 seasons have been spectacular for his age however solely pretty productive in comparison with the remainder of the league. As he’s grow to be barely extra selective throughout the previous few seasons, he’s leapt into a special stratosphere. As a result of he’s youthful than loads of different gamers from this class, Devers is extra more likely to proceed to be an amazing participant than guys whose decline phases are theoretically looming. However throughout his six-year window previous to free company, he was a 60-grade participant general. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade 23 Manuel Margot CF SDP 22.3 9.7 152 55 45 Signed by Boston in the course of the Obama administration, Margot turned out to be the very best participant San Diego acquired again within the 2015 Craig Kimbrel commerce. He was evaluated as a do-it-all heart fielder at this stage in his prospectdom, and whereas Margot has been a rattling good massive leaguer at occasions, he by no means developed the facility required to match my projection for him and have become a quintessential 45-grade participant. Accidents have additionally been a constant a part of Margot’s profession. After components of 4 seasons in San Diego, he was traded to Tampa Bay for Emilio Pagán, and thereafter tended to platoon with guys like Josh Lowe and Kevin Kiermaier. He’s a profession .255/.309/.385 hitter general, however has been a .281/.341/.420 hitter in opposition to lefties and performed plus protection in any respect three outfield positions, a contender’s part-time outfielder. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade 26 Tyler Glasnow RHP PIT 23.4 9.8 104 55 55 Accidents and inefficiency (particularly early in his massive league tenure) have marred Glasnow’s profession so far, and illustrate why pitchers are usually ranked decrease and extra scarcely than hitters on High 100 lists. On expertise, Glasnow is a prime 5-10 participant from this rookie class, clearly, however destiny has struck a merciless blow to his output and pitchers are extra susceptible to this sort of damage chaos. On precise manufacturing, he was not fairly a 50. I believe it’s advantageous to name this a collective “hit” for the group although there’s a niche between our rankings and Glasnow’s manufacturing. His skill is undeniably particular; he was correctly evaluated. I’m not going to sit down right here and say the Pirates received the Chris Archer commerce, but when a part of the explanation they parted with Glasnow, Shane Baz, and Austin Meadows was as a result of they feared all three would have bother staying wholesome and productive, they have been proper about that half. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade 28 Reynaldo López RHP CHW 23.1 9 112 55 45 Signed by Washington, López was a High 100 prospect when he was dealt as a part of the Adam Eaton commerce that helped push the 2019 Nationals throughout the end line to immortality. The White Sox began López till his choices ran out; within the two and a half seasons through which he’s been a full-time reliever, his fastball velocity has leapt and he’s grow to be one of many steadier and extra sturdy setup males in baseball. The 2 seasons through which López labored over 180 innings are carrying practically half his WAR complete (and he had an ERA over 5.00 in certainly one of them). FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade 29 Jay Groome LHP BOS 18.4 0 DNQ 55 35+ At this level in my tenure on the web site, I failed to understand how a lot time and threat ought to issue into the way in which these gamers are valued. Groome was an undeniably nice expertise in highschool however each teenage pitcher is taking part in Russian Roulette with their ligaments each season for 5 years on their method to the massive leagues, and Groome’s life was extra sophisticated and unstable at dwelling than I knew about. He was on San Diego’s 40-man final 12 months and acquired roughed up at Triple-A. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade 31 Riley Pint RHP COL 19.2 0 DNQ 55 35+ Pint’s fastball form was all the time going to trigger it to minimize a bit, but it surely’s nonetheless stunning that he’s solely managed to pitch a 3rd of a giant league inning to this point throughout his profession given his mixture of elite arm energy and breaking ball high quality. There are folks round baseball who assume Pint would have turned out significantly better than this had he been developed by an org with a greater observe file of serving to pitchers. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade 33 Delvin Pérez SS STL 18.2 0 DNQ 55 Org Pérez seemed like a possible five-tool shortstop in highschool, however he failed a PED check previous to the draft and has by no means proven his pre-draft energy in professional ball. He has kicked across the higher minors the final a number of seasons due to his defensive skill. I don’t assume I’d completely transfer off of an identical highschool participant who examined optimistic right this moment, however I actually wouldn’t rank him thirty third general. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade 34 Clint Frazier OF NYY 22.4 -0.7 DNQ 55 35+ Monster bat velocity wasn’t sufficient to make Frazier a profitable massive leaguer, and he has hopped round a pair totally different rosters in the course of the again half of his analysis window. In his finest couple of seasons, Frazier hit for energy consistent with his projections, however his hit device turned out to be extra of a 30 than a 50. How have been all of us fooled so badly? The intoxicating scent of Frazier’s draft standing undoubtedly biased me for longer than was ideally suited, and he solely Okay’d at a 21-22% clip within the a number of seasons main as much as his massive league debut. Maybe this isn’t the kind of athlete we must be placing premium grades on; Frazier was extra of a tightly wound, overly muscular stiff man. He is also rumored to have struggled to suit into that Yankees clubhouse. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade 39 Robert Gsellman RHP NYM 23.5 2.3 276 55 40 When is an uptick in a participant’s efficiency going to regress to their imply, and when is it precise growth? Gsellman seemed nice in 2016, when he was throwing tougher than ever earlier than as a starter and pitched so nicely within the massive leagues that he was one out away from shedding rookie eligibility. His fastball misplaced a tick the following season and it wasn’t lengthy earlier than Gsellman was shifted into lower-leverage multi-inning aid. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade 40 Blake Rutherford OF NYY 19.7 0 DNQ 55 Org Rutherford was an old-for-the-class highschool prospect who acquired well-known as an underclassman. His profession is a lesson in adjusting draft evaluations resulting from age, and his low-ball swing was not constructed to hit for energy in different components of the zone. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade 45 Bradley Zimmer CF CLE 24.2 2.9 DNQ 55 35+ Zimmer’s velocity and skill to play a satisfactory heart subject saved him gainfully employed for a half decade whereas he struck out 35% of the time, far an excessive amount of for him to get to his uncooked energy and declare a steady function. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade 47 Jeff Hoffman RHP COL 24.1 2.4 272 55 40 Hoffman was a prime 5 draft prospect at East Carolina till he blew out throughout his draft 12 months. His fashion of pitching was ill-suited for Colorado and he struggled badly there for years earlier than discovering some stability in Cincinnati, particularly after he was moved to the bullpen. In 2023, he had a three-tick velo spike in Philly and pitched like setup man, however all through his pre-free company years he was extra like a fifth starter or low-leverage center reliever. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade 48 Kevin Maitan 3B ATL 17.0 0 DNQ 55 Org I noticed Maitan in Florida the autumn earlier than this High 100 checklist got here out, and he was already noticeably heavier than he was as an novice. There are scouts who all the time thought-about Maitan to be overrated, who hated his swing from the beginning and thought he wouldn’t hit. After he was made a free agent as a part of Atlanta’s bonus packaging scandal, he acquired one other multi-million greenback bonus from the Angels, and his points continued to worsen of their org. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade 50 Josh Bell 1B PIT 24.5 8.7 172 55 45 Bell set a file for a second spherical bonus quantity ($5 million) when the Pirates drafted him. He’s carried out nearly precisely as he was projected on offense however has fallen quick from a WAR worth standpoint. He’s a profession .260/.347/.453 hitter who has performed at the very least 143 video games in every of the final six full seasons, and he’s hit at the very least 20 homers 4 occasions. Other than the pandemic season, Bell has been an above-average offensive performer and has a profession 114 wRC+, with strikeout, stroll and SLG output consistent with his scouting projections. However Bell’s horrible first base protection and the positional adjustment in WAR drags him approach, approach down to only underneath 9 WAR for his profession. Bell has the seventh-lowest defensive adjustment in baseball since 2016, however he’s thirty seventh in adjusted runs created throughout that span. Is our positional adjustment being too harsh on him? It appears like among the best 50 hitters of the final seven years ought to really feel good to have had on a High 100 checklist, however Bell is a extremely horrible defender and there have been sufficient first baseman who’ve comfortably outslugged him since he debuted to contemplate him somewhat shy of common on the place. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade 51 Ian Happ 2B CHC 22.5 14.2 87 55 50 Happ was monitoring like a 45-grade participant till the 2022 season, when he reduce his strikeout charge and had two 60-grade seasons on the finish of his analysis window although he transitioned to left subject full-time throughout that span. Happ was not an excellent second base or heart subject defender, and I barely over-projected his second base protection, which is the largest purpose for the glancing blow degree of accuracy right here. I believe he was “ranked” within the right spot, however his FV grade was somewhat too heavy as a result of my premium FV tiers ran too deep presently. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade 52 Germán Márquez RHP COL 21.9 17.4 29 55 55 One other hit, Márquez was truly monitoring higher than this earlier than he ended his analysis window with a mediocre 2022 and an injured 2023. Extremely athletic regardless of his thicker construct, Márquez was among the many best hitting pitchers in baseball whereas NL hurlers have been nonetheless tasked with swinging a bat. The Rockies stole him from Tampa Bay in a deal for Corey Dickerson. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade 59 Josh Hader LHP MIL 22.8 11.3 79 55 55 That is the place utilizing WAR as the rule for assessing gamers on this approach will get difficult. Hader has been one of many extra dominant relievers in baseball for the final a number of years and all of us would rank him nicely above the place he slots if we’re simply taking a look at WAR. I’ve made a handbook adjustment to his precise efficiency grade to replicate frequent sense. Ideally prospects like this (Kyle Harrison and Ricky Tiedemann are good 2024 examples) can be ranked close to the again of my 55 FV tier, guys who might need aid threat however are nasty sufficient to be elite closers if they’ll’t begin. I believe it’s affordable to desire to have Hader’s profession to this point over these of Moncada, Happ, Montgomery, and doubtless even Márquez, however as soon as we stand up to Albies and the fellows above him, it’s somewhat too wealthy. That 55 FV space feels prefer it was proper. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade 61 Aaron Choose RF NYY 24.8 41.4 6 55 70 The apex participant from this class, Choose typically occupied a spot within the center third of our collective lists resulting from issues about his strikeouts. He struck out at a 44% clip (!) throughout his September call-up previous to this offseason’s analysis. Nonetheless, Choose had distinctive measurement, energy, and athleticism, and his theoretical ceiling alone most likely ought to have weighed heavier in the way in which he was pref’d on the time. Choose has routinely produced like a 70-grade participant. He has two historic seasons (his rookie 12 months and 2022) underneath his belt and doubtless would have had extra if not for accidents, which have price him 50 video games or so in two of his final 4 seasons. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade 64 Yohander Méndez LHP TEX 22.0 0 DNQ 55 35+ Méndez’s fastball velo from 2016 by no means actually confirmed up once more, as he sat largely 92-93 mph in his 47 complete massive league innings. The accidents stacked up, and Méndez was additionally topic a team-imposed suspension at one level for seeking medical treatment outside the org. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade 65 Amir Garrett LHP CIN 24.7 0.3 316 55 40 What occurred right here? Garrett was moved to the bullpen after his rookie 12 months and had three nice seasons in aid earlier than his command collapsed after the 2020 marketing campaign. He principally had no shot of being a 55 as quickly as he was ‘penned, but it surely seemed like he’d be a nasty sufficient reliever to possibly be a 50. As a substitute, his remaining three years of the analysis window have been unhealthy sufficient to dilute his efficiency into this vary. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade 70 Luiz Gohara LHP ATL 20.5 0 DNQ 55 Bust A lefty leviathan with, on the time, the toughest fastball of any starter in professional baseball, Gohara was jettisoned from Seattle together with a number of different proficient gamers who had worn out their welcome by a perceived lack of effort. He pitched very nicely for the Braves in 2017, however his profession got here to an abrupt finish after simply shy of fifty profession innings partially resulting from a shoulder damage that brought about his comeback try with the Angels in 2020 to stall. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade 71 Jharel Cotton RHP OAK 25.0 0.7 DNQ 55 35+ I underappreciated the methods through which Cotton’s fastball was not going to play in opposition to massive league hitters. He was shelled in his one full season as a starter, then shortly ‘penned and didn’t have the velo spike he would have wanted to stay round. He was an up/down bulk reliever who’s now taking part in in Japan. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade 72 Matt Strahm LHP KCR 25.2 5.2 181 55 40+ Projected as a mid-rotation starter, Strahm was by no means actually given a chance to start out by the Royals, and it wasn’t till his fourth massive league season that the Padres gave it a attempt for a few months. Strahm thrived in a swingman function with Philadelphia in 2023, the very best season of his profession, however has largely been a stable lefty center reliever so far. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade 73 Dominic Smith 1B NYM 21.6 -0.5 444 50 35+ Other than his white scorching run in 2020, Smith has merely by no means had sufficient in-game energy output to be thought-about on a regular basis first baseman. His comparatively low stroll charges within the minors ought to have additionally been an indication that he wouldn’t clear the offensive bar at first base. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade 75 Hunter Renfroe OF SDP 25.0 9.9 148 50 45 Does Renfroe really feel somewhat undervalued by WAR? He’s among the many prime 30 dwelling run hitters in baseball since he debuted and his all-world arm modifications the way in which runners make choices on the basepaths in methods I don’t assume are correctly captured in his knowledge. Then once more, he’s a low-OBP nook man, reaching base at a .300 clip. Ideally this can be a participant for whom you might have a lefty-hitting accomplice in your roster, which I believe makes my forecast somewhat too bullish. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade 90 Raimel Tapia CF COL 23.0 1.4 410 50 40 Tapia was written up as a 60-hit/40-power heart fielder however has carried out like a 60-hit/30-power left fielder. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade 101 Franklin Pérez RHP HOU 19.2 0 DNQ 50 Accidents Pérez handled extreme damage maybe greater than another prospect since I’ve began doing this job. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade 101 Sean Newcomb LHP ATL 23.6 2.9 253 50 35+ Younger Nuke had command-driven aid threat however managed a robust first couple of massive league seasons as a starter regardless of his poor command. The Braves determined to shift him into the bullpen in 2019, and Newcomb has remained a reliever whereas bouncing round to some golf equipment (Cubs, Giants, A’s) the final a number of seasons. After a promising begin, he has been extra of an up/down reliever. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade 101 Matt Chapman 3B OAK 23.8 27.3 23 50 65 One other participant whose minor league strikeout points drastically altered his standing as a prospect, Chapman struck out at a 30% or higher clip as quickly as he reached Double-A. In a way, the issues about his hit device have been right, and Chapman has run cold and warm for a lot of the final 4 seasons. However his elite protection and skill to get to his energy have pushed star-level manufacturing, particularly throughout his first few campaigns. He’s carried out like a 65-grade participant, not fairly constant sufficient to be a real 70. He was under-ranked fairly badly on everybody’s lists. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade 101 Kyle Freeland LHP COL 23.7 12.4 64 50 50 Freeland had one big 200-inning, 4-WAR season however has in any other case been a low-Okay backend starter with a 4.60 profession FIP. From a WAR standpoint I hit on this projection, however when you needed to argue that on expertise Freeland is extra like a no. 4/5 innings- eater than the mid-rotation varieties I attempt to rank on the 100, you most likely might. He’s finished this nicely in half a decade of pitching at Coors Discipline, so let’s give him the good thing about the doubt. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade 101 Jeimer Candelario 1B CHC 23.2 11.5 118 50 50 A considerably inconsistent year-to-year performer, Sweet’s big stroll 12 months propelled his general efficiency into 50-grade vary. He’s now a .243/.325/.414 profession hitter and has stayed at third base for longer than my commencement time scouting report anticipated. Throughout High 100 work yearly, I’ve a “Steady Bat-Solely” cluster of gamers who get in comparison with each other because the checklist will get made. Sweet is a quintessential instance of this archetype and an amazing barometer for what the underside of that group ought to appear to be. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade 101 Frankie Montas RHP OAK 23.9 9.6 106 50 50 Keep in mind that Frankie had a ton of aid threat as a prospect and it took him the higher a part of three massive league seasons earlier than he discovered his footing as a starter. Signed by Boston, he was traded to the White Sox as a part of a package deal for Jake Peavy, then was despatched to the Dodgers as a part of a three-team swap centered round Todd Frazier, after which to Oakland with others for Josh Reddick and Rich Hill; he was ultimately flipped to the Yankees on the 2022 deadline. Montas broke out at age 26 when he began throwing a splitter. He had three seasons as a dynamite mid-rotation kind, although solely two seasons with greater than 100 innings pitched throughout his pre-free company window, with a while misplaced to damage and a few to a PED suspension. He produced proper on the cusp of the 50 FV degree regardless of persistent damage. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade 101 Luke Weaver RHP STL 23.4 6.9 143 50 40 Weaver was monitoring like a forty five in his first three massive league seasons, however he struggled to remain wholesome after Arizona acquired him within the Paul Goldschmidt commerce and hasn’t crested 1.0 WAR in a single season since 2019. He struggled to discover a good breaking ball and ended up pitching like a backend starter. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade 101 David Paulino RHP HOU 23.0 0.1 DNQ 50 35+ Paulino had wrapped a season with 1.83 ERA at Double-A Corpus Christi previous to his rating right here. His 90 IP that 12 months have been by far probably the most he’s had in a single season of his profession. He examined optimistic for PEDs in 2017 and has barely pitched within the massive leagues since. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade 101 Tyler Jay LHP MIN 22.8 0 DNQ 50 Accidents Jay handled many accidents and at a sure level his peak stuff by no means returned. After not pitching since 2019, he made a comeback with the Mets Triple-A affiliate in Syracuse late final 12 months. He was solely sitting 90-91 mph, however his slider remains to be fairly nasty. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade 101 Oscar De La Cruz RHP CHC 21.9 0 DNQ 50 Accidents …And a PED suspension FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade NR Luis Castillo RHP CIN 24.1 21.7 12 45 60 This was a bizarre one. Castillo entered 2017 having made simply three begins above A-ball, and he Okay’d simply shy of 6.5 per 9 IP with the Marlins Excessive-A affiliate all through his time there in 2015 and 2016. On the time, it was very tough to have a really thorough understanding of mid-minors gamers who I hadn’t personally seen; as my skill to entry video and supply knowledge and the ideas of scouts has improved since 2017, I wish to assume I wouldn’t have under-projected Castillo’s changeup high quality or command fairly so badly if I had it to do right this moment. I can see why his supply made me assume he had aid threat, however his command ought to have trumped that, and baseball has a greater understanding now of the benefits lower-release pitchers like this have with regards to lacking bats on the prime of the zone. Castillo has advanced and his slider utilization now outpaces his changeup, which hasn’t missed bats practically as usually because it did in the course of the early portion of his profession. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade NR Sam Travis 1B BOS 23.4 -1.1 DNQ 45 Org Travis merely didn’t have the bodily instruments to bang at something near the extent of a mean first baseman. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade NR Robert Stephenson RHP CIN 23.9 2.1 279 45 40 The Reds shifted Stephenson into the bullpen half approach by his rookie 12 months and he struggled to seek out his footing till 2019. He’s been handed across the fringe of a number of rosters throughout the previous few years, pitching particularly nicely beginning with when the Pirates pulled him off the scrap heap in 2022. In all, he’s carried out like a fairly typical fastball/slider center reliever. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade NR Matt Olson 1B OAK 22.8 24.6 27 40 65 Yikes. Olson ended up having a lot energy that he’s third amongst first basemen in WAR since 2017. His blurb from the time overstates how unhealthy the strikeout points have been within the minors. Upon reflection, this appears like I used to be on the lookout for knowledge to substantiate apprehension I had about Olson’s distinctive swing, which not solely turned out to be advantageous however is being copied by another younger hitters. Olson’s energy makes each swing he takes a harmful one, and he’s been superior regardless of having one of many decrease contact charges amongst first basemen. That is certainly one of my all-time largest misses and a tough unilateral whiff for the group. I solely bear in mind one individual stumping for Olson presently and it was former managing editor Dave Cameron. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade NR Brandon Nimmo CF NYM 23.8 22 35 45 60 Other than a 2018 season through which he confirmed an uncommon quantity of pop (owing maybe to the juiced ball), Nimmo was monitoring extra like a 45-grade participant till he reduce his strikeout charge beginning in 2020. He had three big-time seasons (4 when you prorate his 2020 throughout a complete marketing campaign) on the finish of the analysis window, as he traded OBP for energy whereas remaining a mean heart subject defender. I had a fourth outfielder grade on Nimmo and he become a star. I discover some solace in understanding that it took a fairly vital mid-window adjustment for Nimmo to make a leap; my analysis of his skill on the time was sound, however he modified in methods I didn’t anticipate. He’s reminder that prospects who play viable protection at a premium place, and who’ve a core offensive competency (on this case, on-base skill), are inclined to pan out. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade NR Jordan Montgomery SP NYY 24.1 14.1 46 45 50 This one appeared prefer it was going to be a bullseye till Montgomery’s big 2023. Accidents stymied his early-career output, however he was a really environment friendly innings-eating power for the final three seasons of his analysis window, throughout which he started to throw tougher whilst his physique seemingly backed up. My device and pitch grades have been too tightly clustered round 50 presently, and with a extra correct analysis of Montgomery’s stuff for the final half decade — 40-grade fastball, plus command of a plus changeup and plus curveball — I most likely would have 50’d him. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade NR Yandy Díaz 3B CLE 25.5 12.8 103 45 50 Till the final two seasons Yandy was performing in lockstep with my forecast from a price standpoint, however not likely from a scouting standpoint. I liked Díaz’s contact and OBP skill as a prospect, however I additionally thought the then-shortstop can be an amazing defensive third baseman. As a substitute, Díaz acquired tremendous buff and transitioned from unhealthy third baseman to advantageous first baseman. He’s carried out like an almost elite offensive participant every of the previous two seasons as he’s lastly gotten to extra of his energy in video games. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade NR Teoscar Hernández OF TOR 24.3 12.6 106 45 50 A part of why Hernández wasn’t on the High 100 was as a result of he was such a nasty defensive outfielder. The Astros traded him to Toronto in the course of his 2017 commencement 12 months as a part of a package deal for Francisco Liriano. Hernández has carried out like a 45-grade participant with a monster three-year peak (while you prorate 2020) in the course of his pre-free company tenure. Keep in mind when the Blue Jays performed him in heart subject for half of the 2019 season? Teo’s plus-plus energy helped him overcome 30-grade plate self-discipline and a below-average hit device. He’s an amazing educating case for guys like Tyler Soderstrom and Triston Casas: When there’s this a lot energy, be affected person. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade NR Rhys Hoskins 1B PHI 23.9 11.6 117 45 50 If you prorate his efficiency so Hoskins isn’t penalized for his 2023 damage, he carried out like an precisely common first baseman throughout his Phillies tenure due to his particular energy and above-average plate self-discipline. I severely over-projected Hoskins’ protection, which might be extra like a 30 than the half-assed 45 I dropped on him on the time. As with Teoscar, there was sufficient energy and massive league proximity right here to advantage stuffing Hoskins in the course of the High 100 regardless of his different points. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade NR Mitch Haniger RF SEA 26.1 11.4 121 45 50 One other participant whose accidents restricted his WAR output over the last half decade, Haniger had two or three actually big seasons regardless of fairly substantial splits, which have been chief among the many causes he was evaluated as extra of a platoon outfielder when he was a prospect. He broke late and was undervalued due to his age. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade NR Marco Gonzales SP SEA 25.0 10.2 93 40 45 A traditional command-oriented lefty with a plus changeup, Marco had two seasons with plus, All-Star WAR output and might need had a 3rd if not for the pandemic. The truth is, Gonzales’ charge stats in his 11 2020 begins have been fairly simply the very best of his profession. Plenty of his WAR era comes from quantity (together with a 200-inning 2019 season), whereas his ERAs and FIPs have been within the mid-4.00s, extra consistent with a no. 4/5 starter. However his WAR complete right here was most likely robbed of what would have been a career-best season, so I’ve put my thumb on the size just a bit bit. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade NR Paul DeJong SS STL 23.5 9.4 155 45 45 DeJong was despatched straight to Double-A in his first full professional season and slugged .532 as a rookie the next 12 months. An aggressive method caught up with him over time and he ended his analysis window with a .229/.299/.417 line befitting a slugging second division shortstop. This was successful. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade NR Albert Almora Jr. CF CHC 22.8 2.1 387 45 40 Almora had one full season’s price of above-average offensive efficiency on the very begin of his massive league profession. After that, his hitting fell off sufficient to contemplate him a glove-first fifth outfielder moderately than a complementary common kind of fourth outfielder like Manuel Margot. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade NR Tyler Wade UTIL NYY 22.2 0.2 DNQ 45 40 I had Wade projected as a premium utility man and whereas he actually developed uncommon defensive versatility, I over-projected his hit and energy instruments, that are extra like 40/20 than the 55/30 I assigned him. The distinction is Wade has been extra like a low-end utility man, a sixth infielder and fifth outfielder in a single. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade NR Derek Fisher OF HOU 23.4 -0.4 DNQ 45 Org Fisher had plus energy and plus-plus velocity, however he by no means developed really feel to hit or sufficient really feel for protection to play heart subject. The Blue Jays and Brewers gave him alternatives in his mid-20s to see if issues would click on, they usually didn’t. I’ve a niche between Bradley Zimmer’s eval and Fisher’s although they have been related offensive gamers as a result of Zimmer’s heart subject protection gave him extra roster utility. FG Rank Identify Pos Org 2017 Age Profession WAR WAR Rank FV Grade Precise Grade NR Nick Williams OF PHI 23.4 -0.4 DNQ 45 35+ Williams was traded from Texas to Philadelphia within the Cole Hamels deal (Hamels and Jake Diekman for Williams, Jorge Alfaro, Jerad Eickhoff, Matt Harrison, Alec Asher and Jake Thompson. Not nice!). He was a hyper-aggressive, sweet-swinging nook outfielder with massive energy and poor protection. After a few honest offensive seasons in Philly throughout which his general WAR output was restricted by his protection, Williams’ efficiency tanked and he had such a nasty 2019 that it put his total profession WAR underneath water.