Photo courtesy of Bryan Green
The minor league season is officially into its second month — May is upon us. There was a lot to digest in the opening month of 2019 and, amidst the injuries, promotions, and MLB debuts, several performances went unnoticed. However we went digging to make sure we spotlighted someone that you might’ve missed.
Here’s a look at our Prospects of the Month broken down by each level of the minors. Before getting into the list, here are a few things to keep in mind:
1) Only players under the age of 27 are eligible
2) Players are selected on metrics and ratios and not solely based on counting stats
3) If you disagree with a selection you are free to voice your opinion in the comments below
Triple-A
C: Deivy Grullon (Phillies) 4 HR, 18 RBI, .382/.468/.706
1B: Kevin Cron (Diamondbacks) 1.249 OPS, 11 HR, 33 RBI, 17.9 K% (career low)
2B: Carter Kieboom (Nationals) 19.3 BB%, 28.3 LD%, 3 HR, 18 RBI, 1.142 OPS
3B: Ty France (Padres) 9 HR, 28 RBI in just 19 games
SS: Jake Cronenworth (Rays) .994 OPS, 8.4% K%, 6 SB
OF: Josh Naylor (Padres) .984 OPS, 7 HR, 22 RBI, 16:14 BB:K rate
OF: Skye Bolt (Athletics) 1.101 OPS, 25.5 LD%, 6 HR, 27 RBI, 3 SB
OF: Yordan Alvarez (Astros) 1.310 OPS, 11 HR, 29 RBI
UTIL: Cavan Biggio (Blue Jays) 21.5% BB%, 5 HR, 3 SB, 1.120 OPS
P: Zac Gallen (Marlins) 0.81 ERA, 33.1 IP, 38 K
P: Griffin Canning (Angels) 16 IP, 0.56 ERA, 1.93 FIP, 3.3 BB%, 17 K
P: Tyler Beede (Giants) 37.4 K%, 1.99 ERA, 16 SwStr%
Several of these guys (France, Kieboom, Bolt, Canning) have already received the most exciting phone call of their lives — they're in the show. Plus, if you’re an Astros fan, you can expect to see Alvarez at some point soon if he keeps up his torrid pace.
Beede showed promise during spring training and it’s nice to see him carry that over to the regular season. He was once a very highly regarded prospect within the Giants organization. He slipped to No. 22 in our preseason Top 30.
Double-A
C: Caleb Hamilton (Twins) .903 OPS, 13.9 BB%, .217 ISO
1B: Chris Gittens (Yankees) 1.261 OPS, 21.9 BB% (same as K%), 6 HR, 19 RBI
2B: Gabriel Cancel (Royals) 6 HR, 22 RBI, .925 OPS, .285 ISO
3B: Hunter Owen (Pirates) 1.041 OPS, 7 HR, 20 RBI
SS: Alan Trejo (Rockies) .871 OPS, 3 HR, 12 RBI
OF: Rhett Wiseman (Nationals) 1.121 OPS, 9 HR, 22 RBI, 3 SB
OF: Ben Ruta (Yankees) 1.051 OPS, 10 2B, 8 SB, 16:10 BB:K
OF: Jorge Ona (Padres) 1.023 OPS, 5 HR, 18 RBI, 28.8 LD%
UTIL: Cristian Pache (Braves) .934 OPS, .250 ISO, 16 RBI, 7 2B, 4 SB
P: Matt Manning (Tigers) 28.2 IP, 41 K, 2.83 ERA, 1.68 FIP, 38.3 K%, 63 LOB%
P: Rico Garcia (Rockies) 24.2 IP, 35 K, 1.82 ERA, 2.93 FIP, 36.8% K%, 90 LOB%
P: James Karinchak (Indians) 10 games, 10 IP, 6 SV, 0.00 ERA, 24 K
These are the guys that’ll you’ll want to take notes on moving forward. With the exception of Manning and Pache, the Double-A standouts aren’t as well-known. For as great as he’s been this season, Manning is being over-shadowed by some given the success of another Detroit prospect (see below).
It’s not realistic for Garcia to sustain a 90 percent strand rate over the course of a full season, but it’s worth monitoring for now. How long can Karinchak keep the scoreless-innings streak alive? Can Gittens and Ruta keep up the elevated walk rate?
High-A
C: Riley Adams (Blue Jays) .295 BA, .947 OPS, 17.7 BB%, 3 HR, 12 RBI
1B: Dermis Garcia (Yankees) High-A Ranks: HR (1st), RBI (1st), BA (1st), OPS (2nd)
2B: Yonny Hernandez (Rangers) .314 BA, 18.9 BB%, 12.6 K%, 8 SB
3B: David Masters (Pirates) 1.025 OPS, 8 HR, 17 RBI
SS: Riley Unroe (Braves) .271 BA, .370 OBP, 6 2B, 14 R
OF: Luis Robert (White Sox) 1.432 OPS, 8 HR, 24 RBI, 8 SB
OF: Jarren Duran (Red Sox) 1.015 OPS, .404 BA, 24 R, 11 SB, 27.4 LD%
OF: Justin Toerner (Cardinals) .394 BA, 16 RBI, 20 R, 20:16 BB:K
UTIL: Luis Liberato (Mariners) .928 OPS, 7 HR, 22 RBI, .303 BA
P: Casey Mize (Tigers) 26 IP, 25 K, 1 BB, 0.35 ERA, 0.31 WHIP
P: Ljay Newsome (Mariners) 36.2 IP, 54 K, 4 BB, 1.47 ERA
P: Bailey Ober (Twins) 24 IP, 26 K, 3 BB, 0.00 ERA
Arguably the most talked-about prospect in baseball so far this season, Mize has already been bumped to Double-A — and threw a no-hitter in his debut. You could make a case that he deserves to be on both the High-A and Double-A teams here. Ober’s 26:3 K:BB rate is equally as impressive as his flawless ERA.
How can you talk about High-A talent without mentioning Robert? After his recent promotion to Double-A, can he continue to dominate or will he settle back down? Garcia lit up the Florida State League this season and promptly got a call-up to Double-A Trenton.
Low-A
C: Sam Huff (Rangers) 12 HR, 17 RBI, .325/.365/.825
1B: Curtis Terry (Rangers) 6 HR, 23 RBI, .276/.308/.609
2B: Shane Matheny (Giants) 4 HR, 19 RBI, .263/.333/.500
3B: Alec Bohm (Phillies) 3 HR, 12 RBI, 12 BB, .367/.441/.595
SS: Adam Hall (Orioles) 1 HR, 12 RBI, 11 SB, .353/.446/.459
OF: Will Benson (Indians) 6 HR, 20 RBI, 8 SB, .282/.393/..634
OF: Jerar Encarnacion (Marlins) 5 HR, 25 RBI, 2 SB, .368/.439/.600
OF: Jarred Kelenic (Mariners) 5 HR, 14 RBI, 4 SB, .337/.430/.616
UTIL: Nolan Gorman (Cardinals) 7 HR, 22 RBI, 1 SB, .329/.398/.683
P: Kris Bubic (Royals) 45 K, 7 BB, 1.86 ERA
P: Grayson Rodriguez (Orioles) 28 K, 6 BB, 0.54 ERA
P: Tommy Parsons (Cardinals) 23 K, 5 BB, 0.30 ERA
Huff’s 13 homeruns are arguably the biggest story. There is definitely some pop in Huff’s bat but no one saw this kind of power production coming, especially early in the season. Bubic and Rodriguez have Royals and Orioles fans excited, and Rodriguez has been nothing short of spectacular in his first three starts with a sparkling 0.54 ERA to go along with 28 strikeouts and just six walks.
Kelenic and Bohm have enjoyed strong first months in the Sally League — both are hitting well north of .300. Kelenic has shown off his power profile with five home runs and he’s added four stolen bases as well. Gorman has seven home runs, including three in his last three games. At just 18 years old, he could be a top 25 prospect when we update our Prospects Live Top 100 later this season.