The California League (High A) is a hitters haven. The offensive stats really pop and this league can really test the mettle of pitchers. The league consists of eight teams from the Padres, Dodgers, Giants, Athletics, Angels, Rockies, Diamondbacks, and Mariners.
The Top 100 Prospects
17. MacKenzie Gore, LHP SD (Lake Elsinore Storm)
47. Joey Bart, C SF (San Jose Giants)
54. Luis Patino, RHP SD (Lake Elsinore Storm)
Trending Up
Austin Beck, OF OAK
Rumor has it he has bulked up over the winter. The bat speed is there and the A’s have worked with Beck on quieting his swing and making more contact. He abandoned the leg kick and eliminated excess movement. The results were modest but Beck did see a drop in K rate. Hit tool guys with bat speed can develop power as the hit tool matures. As Beck improves his quality of contact, the improved hit tool will lead to an increase in game power.
All-Prospect Team Pre-season
C - Joey Bart, SF (San Jose)
1B – Yoel Yanqui, AZ (Visalia)
2B – Esteury Ruiz, SD (Lake Elsinore)
3B – David Villar, SF (San Jose)
SS – Ryan Vilade, COL (Lancaster)
OF – Austin Beck, OAK (Stockton)
OF – Lazaro Armentos, OAK (Stockton)
OF – Jake McCarthy, AZ (Visalia)
UT- Casey Golden, COL (Lancaster)
SP – MacKenzie Gore, SD (Lake Elsinore)
SP – Luis Patino, SD (Lake Elsinore)
Team by Team Reports
Lake Elsinore Storm (SD)
Lake Elsinore has a roster that will make Storm clouds disappear, to a bright sunny day. Highlighted by huge names MacKenzie Gore and Luis Patino, both could be top of the rotation starters if all goes right. This pair will be throwing to a battery mate in Luis Campusano, a 2nd round pick out of high school in Georgia in 2017. He put together an all-star year in low A last year before a concussion ended his season prematurely. Esteury Ruiz is my guy to watch, as he had 49 bags, along with 12 bombs last year in Fort Wayne. Gabriel Arias is the best defensive SS in the league. The 19 year old is tooled up with plus raw power. So far his lack of contact has led to struggles offensively but the bat speed and projection are special. Javy Guerra is converting from SS to the mound and has hit triple digits. It’s the Padres’ affiliate so you know this squad is LOADED.
San Diego Padres Top 30 Prospects
Inland Empire 66ers (LAA)
The Angels farm system has improved tremendously the past few seasons. However, most of that talent has already played in Inland Empire. The Angels drafted Jordyn Adams and Jeremiah Jackson. Both could make an appearance in High A but it remains unlikely due to age and need to refine their raw tools. The highest ranked offensive player is Leonardo Rivas, a switch-hitting SS that rates as a plus defender and runner. Some names to watch are Chris Rodriguez, Kyle Bradish, and Luis Madero. Of the three, Rodriguez has the highest upside with extreme risk.
Los Angeles Angels Top 30 Prospects
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (LAD)
Rancho has a long lineage of 5-star guys coming through their city, no need to name drop, just watch the World Series. This year is no different, or is it? Jeter Downs is the headliner. He was obtained in the Alex Wood trade. Connor Wong is returning to Rancho, after dropping 19 bombs, with a .350 OBP last season with the team. Michael Grove was the team’s 2018 2nd rounder was an overslot sign and missed 2018 with Tommy John. Edwin Uceta struggled in the Cal League in 5 starts in 2018 but features a nice change-up and is our highest rated pitcher on the team. Jeren Kendall will look to put a mediocre effort in 2018 behind him and regain the prospect status that led to the Dodgers drafting him in the first round in 2017.
Los Angeles Dodgers Top 30 Prospects
Lancaster Jet Hawks (COL)
Ryan Vilade highlights the Jet Hawks roster. A 2017 2nd round pick, Vilade is a good athlete with projection. The tools are there to tap into power. What better place to play than in Lancaster? Speaking of power, meet Casey Golden. He’s 24 which is a little old for a prospect, but all he’s done is mash HR since being a 20th round pick in 2017. Golden has hit 54 career HR in only 178 career games. He might hit 54 in Lancaster.
Colorado Rockies Top 30 Prospects
Stockton Ports (OAK)
Lazaro Armenteros is a toolsy line drive hitter. He’s still raw at the plate but is an exciting prospect. Oakland took Jameson Hannah 50th overall. He is a speedy CF lead off hitter. The A’s followed that pick up with Jeremy Eierman 70th overall. Eierman is an athletic hitter with plus raw power. On the mound, James Kaprelian is looking to return from Tommy John. He hasn’t pitched since 2016 but was touching 99 before the surgery with a four pitch mix. Also on the Tommy John comeback trail is Daulton Jefferies who features a potential plus change-up.
Oakland Athletics Top 30 Prospects
San Jose Giants (SF)
Joey Bart is the headline offensive player in the league. Selected 2nd overall last June, Bart has plus power with a max effort swing which will lead to swing-and-miss. He’ll be too good in this league though and should put up some monster numbers. Manuel Geraldo is the sleeper pick here. He’s an athletic switch-hitting SS with projection. Gap power should project into more HR power as he adds strength. Heliot Ramos seems to already be suffering from prospect fatigue. That’s a mistake. Ramos can hit. While he’s still raw and on the young side, he stands out on the field due to plus athleticism and bat speed.
San Francisco Giants Top 30 Prospects
Modesto Nuts (SEA)
2018 3rd rounder Cal Raleigh leads an otherwise lackluster roster. The switch-hitting catcher has some power in his bat which will play up in the Cal League. His defense is good enough to stck behind the plate but his bat will carry the profile. Joey Gerber is a relief pitcher with a plus fastball and a wipeout slider.
Seattle Mariners Top 30 Prospects
Visalia Rawhide (AZ)
Jake McCarthy is the biggest name in Visalia…for now. McCarthy is a plus athlete with strong offensive skills. He is a bit ground ball heavy present but the athleticism and projection are intriguing. Yoel Yanqui may be the biggest sleeper in the league. the 22 year old out of Cuba is a strong left handed hitter that really finds the barrel.
Arizona Diamondbacks Top 30 Prospects
Wish List
Geraldo Perdomo, SS AZ
Miguel Vargas, 3B, LAD
Julio Rodriguez, OF SEA
Jared Kelenic, OF SEA
Rodriguez and Kelenic may be a reach to get to High A this season but Vargas and Perdomo are starting in the MWL. A strong first half could see both bring their plus power to the hitter friendly California League.
Chad Bommer & Jason Woodell
Photo of MacKenzie Gore courtsey of Lance Brozdowski