It's been a little while since the last update and that's my fault, not Jordan's. Just going to run down the leaderboard and touch on some movers.
- Anyone looking for a PLIVE+ explainer: Check out this article
Smada
Hitters
Kristian Campbell
Kristian Campbell (BOS, AAA) is now essentially tied with Roman Anthony for the 5th best hitter by PLIVE+. His jump to AAA has been a success thus far with 138 wRC+ over 72 PA. His season line includes 20 HR and 23 SB over 504 PA across 3 levels. Basically everything on the stat line jumps off the page and he really has ended up as one of, if not the biggest riser of 2024.
Bryce Eldridge
Bryce Eldridge (SF, AA) has been one of the hottest players in the 2nd half and received a promotion to AA at just 19 yrs old. We all know he's a riser and PLIVE+ views him as the 18th best hitting prospect at this point.
Lazaro Montes
Michael Arroyo
The 19 yr old Mariners tandem of Lazaro Montes (SEA, A+) and Michael Arroyo (SEA, A+) at high-A continues to perform. The Montes bounce back after a rough couple of weeks to start at the level is comforting and the Arroyo performance at the level confirming.
Walker Jenkins
Josue De Paula
Two players whose PLIVE+ rating is finally catching up with the hype are Walker Jenkins (MIN, A+) and Josue De Paula (LAD, A+). Both cases are players who we're waiting for the over-the-fence power to emerge. Jenkins is now the 14th ranked hitter, De Paula the 35th.
Gustavo Campero
Gustavo Campero (LAA, AAA) is a player who was highlighted a while back in AA. Already 26 yrs old, he finished with a 165 wRC+ in 373 AA PA and has continued to show great K:BB and some speed at AAA in his first 9 games. He'll likely get a chance at some point in 2025, but it's unclear how much of an opportunity he'll really get.
FYPD Hitters
Cam Smith
Cam Smith (CHC, A+) has had a very loud debut, destroying A-ball and then remaining solid in his 53 high-A PA. Probably the biggest solidifier/riser among FYPD from his pro performance. With heavy regression baked in due to just 105 PA, he's already a top 100 PLIVE+ hitter.
Brendan Jones
Brendan Jones (NYY, A+) is a 12th round pick and popping off a bit in PLIVE+. The lefty OF moved up from A to high-A and is running a 27% BB and 21% K with some power and speed in the limited sample across the two levels. Definitely a later round FYPD guy to keep an eye one.
Callan Moss
Callan Moss (KC, A) is another FYPD performer who signed with the Royals as an undrafted free agent. Through 76 PA he's hit 2 HR, stolen 3 bases and slashed .317/.461/.433 on the back of a 21.1% BB and 15.8% K. Moss just turned 21 this week and is a 1B out of the DII school Saint Leo.
Pitchers
Kumar Rocker
Kumar Rocker (TEX, AAA) is now the top pitching prospect by PLIVE+ as he's rocketed up to AAA after three rehab games at CPX and 5 starts at AA. It might seem surprising, but frankly his 38.8% K and 4.8% BB is utterly dominate, not all that dissimilar from what Skenes did earlier this year. Rocker has been stretched out to 5 IP already and it seems just a matter of time before his MLB debut. PLIVE+ will call him a strong-buy this offseason regardless of how hyped he gets by this season's end.
Brandon Young
Brandon Young (BAL, AAA) is beginning to climb on the PLIVE+ leaderboard at 32nd overall. The K-BB% at AA over 7 appearances was a phenomenal 36.4% but he's been more average at AAA. He's a 6'6" 210 lb RHP.
Chase Dollander
Chase Dollander (COL, AA) has made his way into the top 20 PLIVE+ pitching prospects and I've got to think he's got a chance to get a ton of IP in COL next year.
Travis Sykora
Travis Sykora (WSH, A) has broken into the top 10 pitchers. Always interested when eye-test and numbers match up, he's certainly the most interesting pitcher left in A-ball.
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