2024 Midseason Top 100 Prospects

In recent years, we have had more evaluators contribute to the Top 100 list. However, this year we have decided to combine Matt Thompson and Rhys White's lists to create the midseason Top 100 list. This update reflects how we view the prospects as things stand, with their fit within their organizations to be reflected at a later time.

We have included the 2024 draftees in this updated version, with the assumption that everyone here will sign and play some form of affiliated baseball this season for the team that drafted them. This year’s draft was not known for its strength or depth, leading to a record low number of recent draftees making the midseason list. It is not easy to properly assess how recent college players will slot into their respective organizations, but we believe we did a good job of comparing them to their new peers. Evaluating high school/prep talent through the same prism is harder, but we are confident in the way we stacked them up against other fellow minor leaguers.

There was no debate for the top prospect this year; it was clearly James Wood, who provides eye-popping power and more than enough plate skills to make us confident in him atop our list. He has overtaken Jackson Holliday for us. While we believe Holliday will be a really good major leaguer and have him right behind Wood, we are more confident in Wood being the better player short and long-term. Rhys and Matt had a pretty similar top 10, with Dylan Crews and Junior Caminero being flipped on their lists. The same goes for Samuel Basallo and Jackson Jobe, who were also flip-flopped on their respective lists.

The biggest riser this year is recent major leaguer Jacob Wilson. He has hit the ground running this season, and a year after being drafted, he is now a big leaguer. He has shown that minor league pitching is no match for him. He doesn’t hit the ball hard, but he has enough power that opposing pitchers have to respect him. He is one of the highest-floor prospects to come out in a while and was fast-tracked through the Athletics’ system.

On the flip side, one of the biggest fallers is Colson Montgomery. He is still a top 60 prospect for us, but he was viewed as someone who was going to break into the top 10. Things for him as a hitter have gone backward. He isn’t hitting like he has before this season, and his power has taken a step back as well. The encouraging development in Montgomery’s game is that he has taken a big step forward as a shortstop defender. However, the building blocks of his skill set have regressed this season, pushing him down our list.

It is important to note that the minor leagues as a whole are weaker. This is a result of several factors. Teams are more aggressive than ever in promoting prospects to the majors. Plus, we have a cutdown of the minor league spots in general, lessening the pool. This is one of the weaker crops of top 100 prospects in recent memory.

All this to say, here is the Prospects Live Midseason Top 100 Prospects list.

1. James Wood, OF Washington Nationals

Highest Level: MLB | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 10

2. Jackson Holliday, SS/2B Baltimore Orioles

Highest Level: MLB | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 1

3. Junior Caminero, 3B Tampa Bay Rays

Highest Level: Triple-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 4

4. Dylan Crews, OF Washington Nationals

Highest Level: Triple-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 6

5. Samuel Basallo, C Baltimore Orioles

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 7

6. Jackson Jobe, RHP Detroit Tigers

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 13

7. Coby Mayo, 3B Baltimore Orioles

Highest Level: Triple-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 25

8. Carson Williams, SS Tampa Bay Rays

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 35

9. Jasson Dominguez, OF New York Yankees

Highest Level: MLB | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 27

10. Walker Jenkins, OF Minnesota Twins

Highest Level: Single-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 8

11. Brooks Lee, 3B Minnesota Twins

Highest Level: MLB | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 23

12. Noah Schultz, LHP Chicago White Sox

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 62

13. Andrew Painter, RHP Philadelphia Phillies

Highest Level: INJ | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 11

14. Marcelo Mayer, SS Boston Red Sox

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 36

15. Colt Emerson, SS Seattle Mariners

Highest Level: Single-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 41

16. Travis Bazzana, 2B Cleveland Guardians

Highest Level: NCAA | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: N/A

17. Jacob Wilson, SS Oakland Athletics

Highest Level: MLB | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

18. Lazaro Montes, OF Seattle Mariners

Highest Level: High-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 53

19. Xavier Isaac, 1B Tampa Bay Rays

Highest Level: High-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 74

20. Jordan Lawlar, SS Arizona Diamondbacks

Highest Level: Triple-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 15

21. Kyle Teel, C Boston Red Sox

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 45

22. Roman Anthony, OF Boston Red Sox

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 33

23. Charlie Condon, OF Colorado Rockies

Highest Level: NCAA | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: N/A

24. Emmanuel Rodriguez, OF Minnesota Twins

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 24

25. JJ Wetherholt, SS St. Louis Cardinals

Highest Level: NCAA | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: N/A

26. Tink Hence, RHP St. Louis Cardinals

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 81

27. Heston Kjerstad, OF Baltimore Orioles

Highest Level: MLB | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 61

28. Chase Dollander, RHP Colorado Rockies

Highest Level: High-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 60

29. Adael Amador, 2B Colorado Rockies

Highest Level: MLB | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 21

30. Kevin McGonigle, SS/2B Detroit Tigers

Highest Level: Single-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

31. Cole Young, SS/2B Seattle Mariners

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 38

32. Chase Burns, RHP Cincinnati Reds

Highest Level: NCAA | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: N/A

33. Aidan Miller, SS Philadelphia Phillies

Highest Level: High-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

34. Cade Horton, RHP Chicago Cubs

Highest Level: Triple-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 17

35. Hagen Smith, LHP Chicago White Sox

Highest Level: NCAA | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: N/A

36. Owen Caissie, OF Chicago Cubs

Highest Level: Triple-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 68

37. Max Clark, OF Detroit Tigers

Highest Level: Single-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 30

38. Dalton Rushing, C Los Angeles Dodgers

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 63

39. Ethan Salas, C San Diego Padres

Highest Level: High-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 12

40. Bubba Chandler, RHP Pittsburgh Pirates

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 76

41. Matt Shaw, 3B/2B Chicago Cubs

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 29

42. Quinn Mathews, LHP St. Louis Cardinals

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

43. Spencer Jones, OF New York Yankees

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 32

44. Ralphy Velazquez, 1B Cleveland Guardians

Highest Level: Single-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

45. Sebastian Walcott, SS/3B Texas Rangers

Highest Level: High-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 99

46. Bryce Eldridge, 1B San Francisco Giants

Highest Level: High-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 64

47. Moises Ballesteros, C/1B Chicago Cubs

Highest Level: Triple-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

48. Jacob Misiorowski, RHP Milwaukee Brewers

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 40

49. Luke Keaschall, 2B Minnesota Twins

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

50. Brandon Sproat, RHP New York Mets

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

51. Colson Montgomery, SS Chicago White Sox

Highest Level: Triple-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 18

52. Thomas White, LHP Miami Marlins

Highest Level: High-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

53. Rhett Lowder, RHP Cincinnati Reds

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 52

54. Jett Williams, SS New York Mets

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 34

55. Chase DeLauter, OF Cleveland Guardians

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 31

56. Starlyn Caba, SS Philadelphia Phillies

Highest Level: CPX | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

57. Kyle Manzardo, 1B Cleveland Guardians

Highest Level: MLB | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 69

58. Angel Genao, SS Cleveland Guardians

Highest Level: High-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

59. Justin Crawford, OF Philadelphia Phillies

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

60. David Festa, RHP Minnesota Twins

Highest Level: MLB | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

61. Zebby Matthews, RHP Minnesota Twins

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

62. Jac Caglianone, 1B/LHP Kansas City Royals

Highest Level: NCAA | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

63. Leodalis De Vries, SS San Diego Padres

Highest Level: Single-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 71

64. Josue De Paula, OF Los Angeles Dodgers

Highest Level: High-A| 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 50

65. Braden Montgomery, OF Boston Red Sox

Highest Level: NCAA | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: N/A

66. Jonny Farmelo, OF Seattle Mariners

Highest Level: Single-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

67. Drew Gilbert, OF New York Mets

Highest Level: Triple-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 48

68. Caden Dana, RHP Los Angeles Angels

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

69. Brayden Taylor, SS/3B Tampa Bay Rays

Highest Level: High-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

70. Max Meyer, RHP Miami Marlins

Highest Level: MLB | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

71. Jefferson Rojas, SS Chicago Cubs

Highest Level: high-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

72. Jace Jung, 3B/2B Detroit Tigers

Highest Level: Triple-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 91

73. Jeferson Quero, C Milwaukee Brewers

Highest Level: Triple-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 44

74. Felnin Celesten, SS Seattle Mariners

Highest Level: CPX | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

75. Jaison Chourio, OF Cleveland Guardians

Highest Level: Single-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

76. Tyler Black, 1B Milwaukee Brewers

Highest Level: MLB | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 70

77. Victor Scott II, OF St. Louis Cardinals

Highest Level: MLB | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 47

78. Luis Morales, RHP Oakland Athletics

Highest Level: High-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

79. Agustin Ramirez, C New York Yankees

Highest Level: Triple-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

80. Emiliano Teodo, RHP Texas Rangers

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

81. Santiago Suarez, RHP Tampa Bay Rays

Highest Level: Single-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

82. Bryce Rainer, SS Detroit Tigers

Highest Level: HS | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: N/A

83. Konnor Griffin, OF Pittsburgh Pirates

Highest Level: HS | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: N/A

84. Chandler Simpson, OF Tampa Bay Rays

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

85. Brock Wilken, 3B Milwaukee Brewers

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 72

86. Justin Wrobleski, LHP Los Angeles Dodgers

Highest Level: MLB | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

87. Cade Povich, LHP Baltimore Orioles

Highest Level: MLB | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

88. Edgar Quero, C Chicago White Sox

Highest Level: Triple-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 100

89. Kristian Campbell, 3B Boston Red Sox

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

90. Cooper Pratt, SS Milwaukee Brewers

Highest Level: Single-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

91. Brady House, 3B Washington Nationals

Highest Level: Triple-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 66

92. C.J. Kayfus, 1B Cleveland Guardians

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

93. George Klassen, RHP Philadelphia Phillies

Highest Level: High-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

94. Termarr Johnson, 2B Pittsburgh Pirates

Highest Level: High-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 42

95. Henry Bolte, OF Oakland Athletics 

Highest Level: Double-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

96. Alfredo Duno, C Cincinnati Reds

Highest Level: Single-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

97. Thayron Liranzo, C Los Angeles Dodgers

Highest Level: High-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 97

98. Drew Thorpe, RHP Chicago White Sox

Highest Level: MLB | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: 43

99. Nacho Alvarez Jr., SS/3B Atlanta Braves

Highest Level: Triple-A | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

100. Hayden Birdsong, RHP San Francisco Giants

Highest Level: MLB | 2024 Preseason Top 100 Rank: UNRANKED

Draft Day Scenarios - Cincinnati Reds

As part of a new series accompanying the launch of the Prospects Live Mock Draft Machine, I’ll be highlighting draft day scenarios for a number of teams. What better way to use or new tool then put it to work before July 9th rolls around. To see where to start, I took to Twitter to see what team(s) the readers wanted to see me dive into.

The readers spoke and it felt apropos that the first team I saw mentioned was the much-discussed Cincinnati Reds. Thanks to a strong, young core of players like Jonathan India, Matt McLain, Spencer Steer, Hunter Greene, and of course Elly De La Cruz; it appears the buzz around the Redlegs is only intensifying. If you sensed a theme in the names I mentioned regarding the core of the team, you were right. The middle of the infield looks to be crowded for a long, long time. Cruz, India, McLain, Steer, Arroyo, Collier, and Marte are all names who should take the majority of playing time in the middle of the diamond for the foreseeable future.

Could those influence draft day decisions this coming July? We know teams don’t typically draft for Major League positional needs, but in a draft with strong frontline college pitching and stout prep outfielders; you have to wonder if the Cincy decision-makers sense a window creaking open and look to seize the opportunity. No matter what avenue they choose, the picks at hand offer plenty of intrigue.

Let’s set the scene on what the Reds have in this draft, specifically the first five rounds:

Picks:

• 7th overall ($6,275,200)

• 38th overall ($2,255,100)

• 43rd overall ($1,998,200)

• 74th overall ($975,100)

• 105th overall ($640,300)

• 141st overall ($451,100)

Overall, the Reds have the sixth-highest available bonus pool in the league, totaling $13,785,200. So what would likely scenarios be?

Scenario #1

In this simulation, things end up working out on the chalky side. The top five players on the Prospects Live Draft Board get selected in succession to each other, while the Oakland Athletics serve as a bit of a wildcard. Being in a situation where it looks as if they are a few years from playing competitive baseball, they aim for a high-upside, middle-of-the-diamond player in Arjun Nimmala. This allows the Reds to have their choice of the litter in regard to players like Dollander, Lowder, Teel, Meyer, Gonzalez, and Wilson. 

As you can see, acting as the decision maker here, I chose Kyle Teel and paid him the full slot value. Teel is one of the premier college bats in this class, a pure athlete who gets high marks behind the plate. Some even say he plays catcher like a shortstop, which points towards a profile that stays behind the dish. Beyond that, you’re simply buying a high-level bat.  A .418/.484/.673 slash line should tell you all you need to know. 

Later in the draft, we are able to catch one of the prep shortstops as Adrian Santana finds his way down to pick No. 38. Feels as if with the amount of high-level prep SS in this class that one is bound to slip just a touch. We’re able to reign in Santana Jr. at just over slot value. 

With our third selection, we are able to snag a potential frontline starter in Brandon Sproat. The stuff certainly suggests frontline, however, tweaks to the overall profile are needed. The organizational pitching infrastructure in place offers us to trust that the staff can make adjustments with Sproat and turn this into a great pick. The same can be said for Nick Maldonado who we snagged at pick No. 105 after selecting an extra high-upside prep middle infielder in Trent Caraway at 73 because you can never have enough of those. Jake Cunningham rounds out our five picks to offer just a touch of slot relief, but it’s certainly no throwaway. Cunningham possesses tools that are off the charts, putting it all together will be the test. If it clicks, we’re talking big leaguer.

Scenario #2

In this simulation, we catch a falling Max Clark. This is certainly not an outlandish happening. There's a real chance with the chaos of the MLB Draft that one of Jenkins or Clark finds their way to pick No. 7. For as long as this draft class has been talked about, Clark has been tabbed as one of, if not the best talent in the whole class. It’s an otherworldly high school stat line that includes a batting average in the .600s. Clark is more than a basher, it’s tools across the board. Speed, defense, plate discipline - Clark does it all well. Getting this type of upside at a position of need, at this type of value feels like a no-brainer for the Reds. We do have to pay a touch over-slot to make it happen but Clark feels worth it. 

We find a similar profile with Colton Ledbetter at Pick No. 38. However, Ledbetter comes from the college ranks and may not have the sky-high ceiling of Clark -  the profile is semi-reminiscent. Tanner Witt at pick No. 43 follows a similar path to that of Sproat and Maldonado from Scenario 1. Witt lacks the typical track record thanks to missing a large portion of 2023 due to injury but it’s a bet on the traits and pitching development infrastructure. 

Wolters is a prep arm who has a major helium attached to his name right now. Up to 98 MPH, the big-bodied righty is gaining serious steam. If we’re lucky enough to see Wolters fall this far, we likely have to pay up to keep him from honoring his commitment to Arizona. We make it happen and go over-slot for Wolters but bring it back down to earth with the succeeding picks in Carson Roccaforte and Marcus Brown. A couple of guys who have seen major success at high-level college programs. Roccaforte falls in line with the Ledbetter profile and Brown is reminiscent of Trey Faltine, a fellow shortstop and Reds’ selection from 2022.

Conclusion

With the excitement level rising at the major league level, the opportunity within the 2023 Draft should offer just as much excitement for Cincinnati fans. Largely because this draft class is abnormally stout in its’ top fifty prospects. Just so happens the Reds hold three picks in the top 43. It’s an advantageous situation for a team looking to supplement an already young core. Flexibility is paramount in the chaos-filled MLB Draft. Reds’ brass will have plenty of that. 

Who do you think the Reds should target at No. 7?

Deep Drives: South Carolina Road Trip

1B/LHP Jac Caglianone, FloridA

Hitting: 3-11, 1 HR, 1 2B, 2 BB, 5 K

Pitching: 3 IP, 3 H, 4 ER, 6 BB, 4 K

Jac Caglianone has taken over the college baseball landscape this season, becoming an amateur Shohei Ohtani clone. The two-way prowess has been rather impressive to watch, though there are some things I wanted to hone in on with him over the weekend. Could these be hot takes? I don’t know, but here’s my honest opinion on Caglianone: he’s electric, but there’s work to be done.

As a bat, you’re looking at some of the biggest raw power in the country. The bat and hand speed that Caglianone possesses is otherworldly and presently, he leads the country in home runs with twenty-three. His latest home run wasn’t a cheap one, murdering an 81 MPH breaking ball on the outer halfway over the right field fence, coming very close to leaving the stadium. Leaving the bat at 108 MPH, it would ultimately land 412 feet away. He’d add on a single and a double, and while it’s legitimate double plus power, I do have some reservations about the hit tool. He can get rather aggressive at the plate and shows trouble with off-speed. Will Sanders welcomed Caglianone to Columbia with three sliders, all of which Caglianone whiffed on. He’s in no rush to walk either, as he only has nine on the year. Defensively, he’s limited to first base and while he could see some time in the outfield to test his versatility, there’s gonna be pressure on the bat to perform.

Things you don't do with Jac Caglianone in the box: hang a breaking ball.

The distance on this HR was 412 feet, but I'm not sure it ever landed. The ball left the bat at 108 MPH and the bat/hand speed is on full display here. Legit 70 juice.

Oh, btw, he's on the bump today. pic.twitter.com/cqM1PLjGsp

— Tyler Jennings (@TylerJennings24) April 22, 2023

On the mound, it can get rather rough to watch. He labored through a lengthy first inning, allowing a home run to Braylen Wimmer and walking two more batters before the inning ended. He’d ultimately walk six batters in the span of three innings. It’s a reliever-ish look for him, as he can struggle to repeat his mechanics and his fastball command is rather pedestrian at best. He did hold consistent 93-96 MPH velocity, as well as a solid low-mid 80's slider with tight spin and a quality change-up with great separation and diving action, but the strike-throwing, or lack thereof, is slightly concerning.

He’s going to be a polarizing prospect in next year's cycle, not because of the two-way ability, but because of the rawness he has and whether or not he can find the polish that Vance Honeycutt and others have. If he manages to do that and performs admirably in the SEC in 2024, you’re likely looking at the 1.1 pick. If not, you might be looking at someone who’s defensively limited and aggressive at the plate, as well as a potential reliever down the line. Would you take that over a legitimate center fielder with a revamped approach in Honeycutt? That’s the real question and we can dive into that further later on. For now, though, we can sit back and enjoy the season he’s having and hope the polish comes around.

RHP Hurston Waldrep, Florida

Final Line: 6 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 3 BB, 10 K

Hurston Waldrep’s stuff is rather loud. The former Southern Mississippi arm has always had a robust arsenal, though the results just have not been there this year. Maybe I’m overthinking it because it’s the SEC, but he’s really struggled to open ballgames and last Friday was no different.

Hurston Waldrep's off-speed stuff is just bonkers.

FB has been 94-96 T98 w/ cut-ride. Pitching off CB and SL a lot, SL high-80's w/ sweep and big 12-6 bender at 82-84. Flashing super-low spin splitter in high-80's. Retired nine straight at one point tonight. pic.twitter.com/hJ4dvwbGwI

— Tyler Jennings (@TylerJennings24) April 22, 2023

Over the first two innings, Waldrep would primarily lead off at-bats with the fastball. The result? Five earned runs, including a three-run home run to Ethan Petry on a hanging 88 MPH splitter in the second inning. After that? Waldrep would retire the next ten batters straight before a leadoff walk in the sixth inning, primarily pitching backwards with his off-speed arsenal. The fastball features cutting action with some ride in the mid-90’s, touching 97 MPH early, though the command was scattered at times and it felt very hittable. The curveball was utilized often to steal strikes early in counts, sitting in the low-80’s consistently with big downer shape and he’d primarily pitch off his high-80’s slider that featured sweep and high spin. His splitter, which is one of the best pitches in this year’s class, lacked some feel and he didn’t utilize it much, though when snapped off properly, it featured very low spin and dropped off a cliff.

The main question with Waldrep is whether or not scouts see him as a starter long-term. He’s highly athletic with an over-the-top arm slot, but the delivery has a good amount of effort and the command, particularly with the fastball, draws some concern. He’ll need to utilize a more consistent fastball shape, too, as the pitch is subject to being lit up when down in the zone and he showed some struggles elevating the pitch early in his outing. He’s still a projected first-round pick, though he’s going to be a bit of a project for a big-league team.

RHP Brandon Sproat, Florida

Final Line: 5.2 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 8 K

Brandon Sproat is a bit of an interesting case to dive into. He was selected in the third round of the 2022 MLB Draft by the New York Mets, but opted not to sign and returned to campus to be Florida’s new Friday starter. He’s shown glimpses of brilliance on the mound this year, including a complete game shutout against Alabama last month, though while he has seen an uptick in velocity across the board with his stuff, I wonder if he’ll ultimately end up in the bullpen.

.@GatorsBB's Brandon Sproat has some loud stuff.

FB has touched 100 tonight, sitting 95-99 with big running life. CH at 88-91 has serious sinking life to lefties, showing off gyro SL in same velo band to righties. Flashing low-80's CB. Command is erratic, however. pic.twitter.com/o03VA47iCL

— Tyler Jennings (@TylerJennings24) April 21, 2023

His start on Thursday was a mixed bag of sorts. He primarily lived off a lively fastball/change-up combo, sprinkling in a slider at the start before resorting to a curveball in the third and fourth innings. The fastball touched 100 MPH on the first pitch and he primarily lived in the 94-98 MPH range throughout the night, but the pitch’s shape and inconsistent command hamper it. It’s more of a running two-seamer than a riding four-seamer and won’t miss a ton of bats, plus the lack of strikes with the pitch is concerning. His best off-speed is the aforementioned change-up, which features great separation and he’s confident enough to throw it in any count. It lives in the 88-91 MPH range and dives hard to the dirt, garnering plenty of empty swings. The slider is more of a gyro pitch, showcasing decent depth with a little horizontal movement in the high-80’s, though at times, he did hang the pitch, which led to a home run in the first inning by Ethan Petry (he’s really good at this baseball thing, by the way). The curveball was primarily used to steal strikes to open at-bats later on in the low-80’s with solid depth and some sweep.

There’s athleticism in the delivery, which features a very long arm swing into a three-quarters arm slot, though there’s some effort in the operation. That, mixed with inconsistent command, does hint at a potential relief role down the line. However, he’s likely going to start off as a starter in the minor leagues until he’s forced into a bullpen role. It’ll be interesting to see if he manages to go higher than his 2022 selection and sneak his way into Day 1 conversations.

OF Wyatt Langford, Florida

Final Line: 2-11, 2 BB, 3 K

Langford has long been one of my favorite players in this class. While his CNT trials didn’t result in a ton of hits, he impressed me enough in that week to solidify himself in my personal top five, so it was paramount to see him again this spring. While it wasn’t the weekend he wanted, he still showed off why he has legitimate five-tool potential.

Wyatt Langford is a line drive machine.

Bit of a slow start offensively tonight, but got on the board with this line drive single (98 MPH EV) after a lengthy AB. Tons of bat speed and he's a physical freak, plus he can absolutely haul down the line. Pot. Top 5 pick this year. pic.twitter.com/uq4Fz5sl3u

— Tyler Jennings (@TylerJennings24) April 21, 2023

His BP was rather fun to sit down and watch, spraying line drives across the field. There’s legitimate bat speed in his swing and his power plays to all fields, even though he hasn’t replicated his 2022 power performance. He’s showing off more patience at the plate, as well. On the year, he’s garnered 37 walks and just 21 strikeouts, though there is an issue of being too selective and letting opposing arms get to their weapons deeper into counts. He’s a physical freak, as well. It’s a muscular build at 6’1, 220 pounds, but don’t let the size fool you, this is a player that can absolutely fly. He’s recorded plus run times in the past and books it down the line on ground balls, and if it weren’t for a fringe-average arm in the outfield, he’d likely be manning center field over Michael Robertson thanks to his speed. The arm will need to improve at the next level.

He did miss a little over two weeks from a pretty brutal lower-half injury, though he returned much earlier than expected and is still performing at a phenomenal clip. This is a profile that will find itself inside the top five, there’s very little doubt about that. Logistics will figure itself out as we get closer to draft day, but the upside is immense and he could be on a fast track to the majors if all goes well.

LHP Matthew Becker, South Carolina

Final Line: 5 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 K

We’ve written about Will Sanders and Jack Mahoney plenty this month, so why not talk about South Carolina’s new Sunday starter, Matthew Becker. The southpaw is destined to be one of the top lefties in next year’s class.

Becker made a loud impression as a freshman, throwing six innings of one-hit ball against the top team in the country, the Texas Longhorns, striking out eleven in the process. While Sunday was not a replication of that Texas start, Becker only allowed two hits across five innings of work, striking out six and walking just one. The lone blemishes in his outing were two opposite field jacks to Cade Kurland, both of which coming off fastballs. Becker throws two different heaters, a sinker in the lower half of the zone and a four-seam with significant carry up in the zone. He’s added a bit more velocity, sitting more in the 90-92 MPH range with the four-seam and 89-91 MPH with the sinker. He has two excellent breaking balls with distinct shapes, a high-70’s curveball and a low-80’s slider, both of which have high spin numbers and big break. He began utilizing a low-80’s change-up with fade later on in the outing, primarily against righties.

Command was the biggest issue with Becker as a freshman and he’s improved a bit as a sophomore, but his fastball command can be fringy at times. He’ll need to add more velocity and improve the command a bit more to solidify himself as a potential Day 1 arm in next year’s draft, but the mold is definitely there and he’s in a great place to work on it with pitching coach Justin Parker. He and Eli Jerzembeck have the potential to be a very nasty 1-2 punch in the SEC in 2024.

RHP Teddy Sharkey, Coastal Carolina

Final Line: 1.1 IP, 4 H, 5 R (0 ER), 1 BB, 2 K

The combination of loud stuff and personality is something that doesn’t show up all that often in college baseball. Enter Teddy Sharkey, Coastal Carolina’s psycho closer.

Teddy Sharkey: American Psycho.

Sharkey has some of the best pure stuff in the country. FB was 93-97 today with ride and can bore it in on righties. High-80's SL and low-80's CB are dynamic breakers. Command wavered in his 2nd inning. One of the best relief arms in this class. pic.twitter.com/6phFj7EnVr

— Tyler Jennings (@TylerJennings24) April 23, 2023

Sharkey has a stockier build on the mound with some physicality present, coming in at 5’11, 200 pounds. It’s a high effort delivery with a higher arm slot, but man, the stuff is loud. The fastball has plenty of carry and got up to 97 MPH, sitting 93-96 MPH later on in his outing with command that began to waver a bit. He has two distinct breaking balls that are both potential plus pitches. The slider sits in the 85-88 MPH range with sharp two-plane break that, when commanded away from righties, can be lethal. The curveball has the potential to be a legitimate hammer, a low-80’s offering with significant depth and some sweep. He looked the part of a high-leverage reliever in his first inning, snaking his way out of a bases-loaded jam with two strikeouts. However, after getting two quick outs in his second inning, it became clear that he was tired and he had a meltdown with two outs, though his defense did not help him much. All five runs he allowed were unearned as a result.

While Coastal Carolina has stretched him out in recent outings, Sharkey is suited more for shorter outings and he projects as a potential high-leverage reliever at the next level. There are some things that will need to be shored up in the minor leagues, mainly his command, but this is an arm that could fly to the majors if everything comes together. He’s expected to be one of the first true relievers off the board in July.

OF Matthew Etzel, Southern Mississippi

Final Line: 3-5, 1 HR, 2 R

Etzel was a highly touted JUCO bat coming into the year and while Southern Mississippi has had its fair share of trouble, Etzel has been a big bright spot out of the leadoff spot.

Southern Miss' leadoff guy Matthew Etzel impressed today. Hit a leadoff HR to start off another three hit day. Simple swing suited for line drives, very quick runner and glides in CF. Former JUCO bandit. pic.twitter.com/yrpNEhx17S

— Tyler Jennings (@TylerJennings24) April 23, 2023

Everything works easily for Etzel at the plate. He has solid plate discipline and it’s more of a line-drive approach at the plate. He does have decent power, but did not get his first home run of the season until his first at-bat on Sunday. The swing is more suited for spraying line drives across the field, but he has a knack for putting plenty of backspin on balls in play. He does have a bit of trouble with fastballs up in the zone, though that wasn’t very apparent in this series. He’d tally seven hits total in the three-game set, including back-to-back three-hit performances. He’s likely a lock to stay in at the eight moving forward, too. He glides on the basepaths and in center field, though his route running can waver from time to time. The arm may put him in a left field position should he move to a corner position, but ultimately, his speed should be the difference maker there.

He’s a bit of a weird one to rank on our board, but there’s a chance that Etzel could play his way into the top 100 picks. He’ll need to add more power to his profile, but he’s a potential center fielder with great speed and a knack for hitting. He’d fit anywhere at the beginning of Day 2 in July.

Honorable Mentions: INF Cade Kurland, Florida; OF Ethan Petry, South Carolina; INF Cole Messina, South Carolina; RHP Will Sanders, South Carolina; LHP Cade Fisher, Florida

2022 MLB Draft Early Preview - Right-Handed Pitchers

While certainly not concrete and all-encompassing, scouts have a way of siphoning the top right-handed talent to the top of draft boards every year. Especially in today’s baseball meta, there are qualifiers a right-handed college pitcher must possess should he hope to get selected in the first round of any given draft. There will always be outliers to any anecdotal model, but the modern right-handed arm is usually cut from a similar cloth.

First and foremost, there must be an element of velocity in his game. Scouts need to see the ability to throw hard, and you’ve got to miss bats as well. Generally, if a pitcher isn’t sitting north of 92 mph consistently, there’s very little chance they’ll hear their name on day one. And that’s the baseline, mind you. More than stuff alone, a right-handed pitcher must be able to command and control the baseball as well. Walks will lose you baseball games, and advanced hitters barrel up middle-middle cheese more often than not. The ability to work in and out, as well as up and down, is critical to the success of any starting pitcher.

A starting pitching prospect should have three pitches and the ability to control those pitches. The ability to command the fastball is a must. More and more, data plays a role in qualifying secondary pitches these days. Scouts like seeing big spin rates and appreciable markers that suggest future success. But some of those indicators in pitch design are discernable to the naked eye. I don’t need to show you TrackMan data to convince you Kumar Rocker’s slider is an extremely effective offering.

Starting pitchers also operate much different than most other arms. Scouts want to see athleticism and the ability to repeat. Pitchers who prove to be good athletes generally have the best chance to see more gains in their development moving forward in professional ball. Athleticism helps with efficiency and fluidity on the mound and can be a prerequisite to a player’s ability to repeat their release. Pitchers that are max-effort and rigid in their operation end up being relievers as they lack longevity and their command wavers earlier in outings.  

Blade Tidwell

Armed with a 99 mph fastball and a wipeout slider, Tennessee RHP Blade Tidwell has the makings of a big league ace. He could be the first starting pitcher off the board in the 2022 MLB Draft. Tidwell spent the offseason re-shaping his fastball... 👀 https://t.co/oiDg9ETDg7

— Joe Doyle (@JoeDoyleMiLB) December 20, 2021

Tidwell was a big name in the 2020 MLB Draft, but went unselected due to his bonus demands, ending up in Knoxville. That has paid dividends. Tidwell has the prototype body, the athleticism and some low-hanging fruit in terms of development right in front of him that could vault his name into Top 10 conversations come July.

Tidwell’s full arsenal includes the fastball touching 99, more comfortably resting 94-95 most nights. He was living closer to 96 this summer for the Collegiate National Team. Tidwell focused on Clean Fuego training this summer in an attempt to get more ride out of his heater, experimenting more and more with attacking at the top of the zone, a tact the University of Tennessee has generally shied away from adopting in recent years. At his best, Tidwell was resting north of 19 inches of IVB, touching 22 inches at times. That would play beautifully in 2022. He works in a firm mid-80s bat-missing slider that presents more sweep than it does depth, and shows a fringier high-70s curveball that he struggles to command or throw with complete conviction. The changeup shows promising shape, though feel and command for the offering is still a work-in-progress as well. The book here is arm talent and projection, both of which are substantial.

Over 98.2 innings in 2021, Tidwell pitched to a 3.74 ERA, punching out 90 hitters and walking just 34. The opposition struggled to hit Tidwell, but when they did it would too often come in the form of homers. He made huge strides this summer for the Collegiate National Team, and the results were encouraging. In 31 plate appearances against the best hitters in the country, Tidwell saw his strikeout rate spike to 29 percent, his fastball generating a 33 percent whiff rate. Those are the kinds of numbers scouts like seeing when projecting out a future top-of-the-rotation horse.

Peyton Pallette

One of the reasons Arkansas RHP Peyton Pallette gets the acclaim he does is the curveball. Pallette averaged north of 3000 RPM in 2021, *elite* spin rates. He also throws his CB close to 80 mph, another top-of-the-scale figure suggesting future success. pic.twitter.com/yjBNhGUlRd

— Joe Doyle (@JoeDoyleMiLB) December 26, 2021

Pallette gets a ton of comparisons to Dodgers hurler Walker Buehler, and for good reason. It’s a lean, 6-foot-1-inch 180-pound frame with exceptional arm speed and a super-efficient lower body operation. That’s the book oh Buehler too. You could argue Pallette presents the best two-pitch combo of any starting pitching prospect in the class.

The fastball-curveball one-two punch from Pallette can be absolutely devastating. The heater touched 99 last season, sitting 93-95 with ease. It’s a high-spin offering with some inefficiencies in terms of spin direction and spin efficiency, something that could truly unlock another gear to his stuff at the top of the zone. While Pallette fills up the zone and commands the fastball well, its shape precludes the ability to generate a ton of swing and miss right now. The curveball is as dynamic as they come, touching 84 mph, sitting comfortably in the low-80s. It’s got spin rates exceeding 3000 rpms, as well as the vertical hammer shape teams covet. The pitch shape and metrics are elite here. Pallette isn’t as comfortable throwing strikes with the breaking ball, but most believe he shows enough feel to project at least a plus out-pitch as a pro. Pallette does possess a below average changeup and has flirted with a cutter as well. Optimists see a potential starter with two plus pitches and a usable off-speed pitch to offer against left-handed hitters.

Pallette has 61.2 innings to his name in Fayetteville, striking out 70 and issuing just 23 walks. He dealt with shoulder fatigue in 2021 so staying healthy in 2022 will be critical to reach his draft-ceiling in July, especially considering his lean frame. Analytically motivated organizations would covet Pallette and his intrinsic abilities on the mound. He certainly has the upside of a top ten pick.

Landon Sims

Run it back pic.twitter.com/1Z7mCCUWQS

— Landon Sims (@landoosims) January 1, 2022

If Pallette doesn’t have the best one-two punch in college baseball, Sims probably does. The electric Sims was as dominant a reliever as you could find in college baseball in 2021, transitioning into a rotation role for the 2022 campaign.

It would be hard to argue for anybody but Sims having the most dominant fastball in college baseball last season. He sat 93-96, reaching back for 98. The ball explodes out of the hand, creating some of the best-performing metrics in the country. Sims threw his fastball for strikes almost 70 percent of the time. Those that swung at the heater whiffed through it more than 40 percent of the time; an outlandish figure at any level. As if those numbers weren’t impressive enough, opposing hitters chased Sims’ fastballs outside of the zone almost 30 percent of the time. Elite whiff rates. Elite chase rates. Pounded the zone. What’s not to like? Sims has a low release and innate deception. If the velocity continues to tick up, this could be a double-plus fastball. The slider is just as dynamic, averaging north of 85 mph and touching 88. Sims attacks hitters from the right side of the rubber and employs more sweep than depth on his slider, though most would characterize the breaking ball as short. It gains effectiveness through tunneling and deception. It plays up thanks to sublime command. It’s at least above average, though most believe it could be plus when all is said and done. Sims really hasn’t shown a changeup or curveball yet, something scouts will want to see in 2022.

Sims has 69.1 innings in his collegiate career despite never starting a game. He has no problem working multiple innings in crunch time. In those innings, he’s punched out an astronomical 123 hitters, issuing just 22 walks. If he carries anything close to that sort of production into the rotation, he could be the first arm off the board in July.  

Kumar Rocker

NO-HITTER.
19 STRIKEOUTS.

VANDERBILT’S KUMAR ROCKER JUST MADE HISTORY! pic.twitter.com/Q05eYikbbR

— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) June 9, 2019

After being selected 10th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, the New York Mets and Rocker could not come to an agreement on a pro contract. Because of this, Rocker will give it another go in 2022. The narrative is long and exhausted. The concerns over his medicals after reports surfaced that he failed his physical with the Mets post-draft will be the storyline to watch this go around. To date, Rocker and his camp have been entirely absent from the public since July.

The weaponry is well-chronicled. A fastball that has been up to 98.6 but more often sits 93-95. The heater has strong riding characteristics and was swung through more than 31 percent of the time last season, an exceptional figure. The breaking ball is wicked with tremendous depth and deception, grading as high as plus-plus by evaluators. The cutter flashes above average and a changeup that is below average more often than not. It’s a full repertoire and figures to only improve at the pro level.

I’m still 100 percent in on Rocker. It still looks like top-of-the-rotation stuff to me and the operation works over long innings.  It’s at least three pitches in his arsenal, probably four as he continues to mature. The concerns over his medicals will certainly be a point of emphasis, as they should be. If it’s shoulder-related, the caution ramps up a bit, but even if Rocker needs to go under the knife for Tommy John Surgery, it’s hard to imagine him not coming back and performing as he has since he was 16 years old. The track record is long and storied. Don’t overthink it.

Gabriel Hughes

The last Gonzaga Bulldog drafted in the first round was Seattle Mariners southpaw Marco Gonzales in 2013. That may change in 2022. RHP Gabriel Hughes is often referred to as "electric" by those who have evaluated him. The fastball touches 96 and the slider can be devastating. pic.twitter.com/jAX7TwGg9h

— Joe Doyle (@JoeDoyleMiLB) January 2, 2022

There’s perhaps no other pitcher in the country more likely to explode onto the scene in 2022 than Gonzaga’s Hughes. A two-way guy in 2021, he broke his hand after getting hit by a pitch, costing him much of the year. That said, in 10 starts, he showed all he needed to get scouts juiced for the product of Eagle, Idaho.

At 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, Hughes is a power arm with the three-pitch mix evaluators covet. The fastball generally sat 91-94 last season, touching 96. He was more 92-95 this summer for the Collegiate National Team, again north of 96. Opposing hitters swung through the heater almost 30 percent of the time last season, but even when they did get bat-to-ball, Hughes avoided barrels. He throws a power-slider that he commands reasonably well glove-side with gyro-bullet spin. It tunnels the fastball well and can be un-hittable when he’s got feel for it. This could eventually be a plus slider. There’s a whole lot more in the tank with Hughes too. He’s an exceptional athlete showcasing a big leg kick and the ability to really ride down the mound, repeating his release consistently. It’s a high waist and long levers. It’s not hard to envision a guy throwing 94-98 in short order as he continues to mature.

Hughes has 73 collegiate innings under his belt with 80 strikeouts and 36 walks. Harnessing more command for his entire arsenal will be a point of emphasis in 2022. If he fills up the zone, the stuff is so good his baseball card is going to be quite gaudy.

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Others to Watch: Adam Maier, Oregon; Marcus Johnson, Duke; Henry Williams, Duke; Eric Adler, Wake Forest; Victor Mederos, Oklahoma State; Jonathan Cannon, Georgia; Bryce Osmond, Oklahoma State; Jarred Karros, UCLA; Josh White, Cal; Alex McFarlane, Miami; Mason Barnett, Auburn; Zach Maxwell, Georgia Tech; Justin Campbell, Oklahoma State; Jacob Meador, TCU; Derek Diamond, Ole Miss; Drew Thorpe, Cal Poly; Brandon Sproat, Florida; Max Rajcic, UCLA; Andrew Taylor, Central Michigan; Mack Anglin, Clemson; Will Childers, Georgia; Brandon Birdsell, Texas Tech; Liam Simon, Notre Dame; Carter Rustad, Missouri; Aaron Nixon; Texas; Nick Maldonado, Vanderbilt; Tyler Nesbitt, Florida; Jackson Finley, Georgia Tech; John Modugno, Indiana; Eric Reyzelman, LSU; Troy Melton; San Diego State; Devereaux Harrison, Long Beach State; Sebastian Keane, Northeastern; Andrew Mosiello, Oregon; Sam Highfill, NC State; Matthew Wyatt, Virginia; Jake Brooks, UCLA; Parker Stinnett, Mississippi State; Jackson Fristoe, Mississippi State; Cade Winquest, Texas-Arlington; Will Frisch, Oregon State; Luis Ramirez, Long Beach State; Seth Halvorsen, Tennessee; Mark Adamiak, Arkansas; Cam Schlitter, Northeastern; Cam Weston, Michigan; Nick Durgin, Stetson; There are so many others…….