About Our Top 30 Lists
The evaluation team has painstakingly worked every detail of the forthcoming list. We’ve incorporated our live looks, watched hours of film, consulted with industry folk, and combed through too many data sets to count. This process is much the same for each team we’ll be covering this offseason, and it’s led to what we consider to be our best work yet.
The list is organized by and utilizes the Overall Future Projection (OFP) scale. Although there is no empirical method for ranking or classifying prospects, this method is as close as possible. Prospects are scored on the traditional 20-80 scale, with a 20 representing a non-prospect and a 70 or 80 representing an elite, MVP-caliber player. These are the two extremes, with most prospects occupying something in between. A 50 OFP means we project that player to be a future average big leaguer, while a 55 or 60 OFP means they’re a future above-average or all-star player. Most prospects, however, tend to project in the 40 or 45 OFP range, which are below-average or specific role players, such as utility players or low-leverage relievers.
Sometimes these grades will be more aggressive, while others will be conservative. We’ve included a “Risk” component to help differentiate between these situations. We’ve done our best to apply these grades and risk components relative to all prospects both within and outside of each organization. It’s also important to note that players grow or regress year-to-year, and we’ve also incorporated where these players were ranked on last year’s list.
Below you'll find the top 10 players in the system with full reports of the top 5. The full rankings and reports on all top 30 prospects per team will be available on our Patreon at the 55-tier ($5 level) as we publish them. If you're into fantasy baseball, this tier also gets you the dynasty show, the FYPD list, and the MiLB Daily Sheet during the regular season.
Top 10 Team Rank at First 5 Reports for Free Below
1. James Wood, OF - 60 OFP
Age: 20 Highest Level: A
2022 Pre-season Rank: 5 (SD) OFP: 50
| Hit | Power | Field | Arm | Run | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 | 70 | 55 | 60 | 55 | Moderate |
PHYSICAL Wood is one of the true freaks of nature in all of baseball. There’s substantial projection remaining on an already imposing extra, extra large frame. He’s an above-average to plus athlete with advanced body control and compact actions that just aren’t seen in a frame of his size.
STRENGTHS The 20-year-old has one of the strongest batted ball profiles of any prospect. It’s legitimate double-plus raw power with a maximum exit velocity of 114 MPH as a teenager with a 90th percentile exit velocity that ranks among the elite. There’s ability to do damage to all-fields with an advanced approach that boasts above-average contact and chase rates. He’s also elite against premier velocity. His offensive package is rare, particularly coming from his frame, and he has the chance to grow into a plus contact hitter who also puts out 40 home runs annually. Wood is not just a freak athlete in the batter’s box, as he also shows impressive range as a center fielder with sneaky, above-average foot speed and the ability to cover a ton of ground with his long strides. He has a present plus arm with impressive carry and accuracy. While he’ll continue to operate in center field for the foreseeable future, his arm would be a weapon in right field if he outgrows the position given his remaining projection.
WEAKNESSES While the approach is advanced, Wood can border on being passive at the plate. That can lead to him falling into heavy breaking ball counts, where some swing and miss comes through. Overall development on breaking pitches will be key in Wood maintaining a plus hit tool down the line. His sheer size will also define what he becomes on the defensive side of the ball.
SUMMARY One of the key pieces in the Juan Soto trade, Wood offers a very complete profile at barely 20 years old. He has three plus tools, power being a clear double-plus grade, and is overall above-average across the board. Developing in center field only strengthens the potential, but he also profiles as an above-average glove anywhere in the outfield. There’s a real chance at number one overall prospect status down the line for the former IMG Academy product.
EVALUATOR Ian Smith
2. Robert Hassell III, OF - 55 OFP
Age: 21 Highest Level: AA
2022 Pre-season Rank: 2 (SD) OFP: 55
| Hit | Power | Field | Arm | Run | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 | 45 | 50 | 55 | 55 | High |
PHYSICAL Hassell has good height and is decently filled out. He has long legs with room to add mass in his lower half. He also has developing muscle on his frame with remaining projection if that’s the route he wants to go.
STRENGTHS The 21-year-old has fantastic plate coverage, showing an ability to hit balls on the outer parts of the zone and drive them to the opposite field. He also rarely chases, showing a good understanding of the strike zone, and he generally makes good swing decisions on pitches over the plate. Hassell will make a bunch of contact because of his bat speed, plate coverage, and hand-eye coordination, all of which allow him to catch up to velocity up in the zone and attack pitches lower in the zone. He is also a good runner who will be able to steal his fair share of bases if given the opportunity. He primarily played center field last season, and he should be able to make all of the requisite plays at the next level. His above-average arm would also work in right field, where he does have some experience.
WEAKNESSES Hassell hasn’t hit for the power that many thought might come. His bat path is fairly linear, which is great for his ability to make contact, but it is not as great generating power. He puts a lot of balls on the ground. He has also yet to hit the ball hard, recording just average top end exit velocities. The lack of power limits his overall ceiling, although he should still be able to hit 15-18 home runs at this peak based on his current physical trajectory. Hassell’s offensive performance significantly dipped after his midseason trade. He largely struggled in Double-A, and he’ll need to show he can handle advanced pitching.
SUMMARY While the power hasn’t come, Hassell still makes a lot of contact and plays an average center field. His above-average speed allows him to turn singles into doubles, and he’s also shown a feel for getting on and making his way around the bases. If the power takes a step forward, there’s an all-star ceiling. If it doesn’t, he should still emerge as an above-average regular.
EVALUATOR Rhys White
3. Elijah Green, OF - 55 OFP
Age: 19 Highest Level: CPX
2022 MLB Draft Rank: 2
| Hit | Power | Field | Arm | Run | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 70 | Extreme |
PHYSICAL Green is a true physical specimen built like prime Terrell Owens. There’s a high level of strength and twitch present throughout his entire frame. The 19-year-old has the athleticism and bloodlines to maintain his status as a premier athlete long term, even without too much projection remaining on his frame.
STRENGTHS Green shows elite bat speed and strength in a very compact swing that produces double-plus raw power with ease to all-fields. He posted consistent triple digit exit velocities as a prep, and that persisted into his time in the Florida Complex League. He hits the ball very hard, and there’s reason to believe he’ll make enough contact to reach plus game power. Green is also a double-plus runner with freight train-like straight line speed. He was clocked at 6.1 seconds in the 60 yard dash as an amateur. His speed allows him to confidently cover ground, and he has long term potential in center field. Should he move off the position, his plus arm strength would work well in right field. He can make every throw in the book.
WEAKNESSES Aggression is what holds Green back from having a truly elite profile. There’s swing and miss both in and out of the zone which curbs his overall hit tool, despite showing quality pitch recognition at times. He struck out 40% of the time during his professional debut while also posting bottom-of-the-scale contact rates. He creates tremendous quality of contact when he does get the bat on the ball, but he needs to further refine his approach to maximize his natural talent.
SUMMARY One of the top high school players in the 2022 class, Green is a true center fielder who presents a power/speed combo that hasn’t been seen at that level in recent years. Development in the hit tool against pro pitching will determine what Green's realistic outcome will be, but the potential really doesn’t have a ceiling if all things go right.
EVALUATOR Ian Smith
4. Cade Cavalli, RHP - 55 OFP
Age: 24 Highest Level: MLB
2022 Pre-season Rank: 1 OFP: 60
| Fastball | Curveball | Slider | Changeup | Command | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70 | 60 | 50 | 55 | 50 | Moderate |
| 94-98 mph | 82-88 mph | 86-88 mph | 87-90 mph |
PHYSICAL Cavalli is big and physically maxed out. He has broad shoulders, good muscle throughout, and is built like a quarterback. It’s a durable frame that should be able to hold up to the rigors of starting games. The right-hander throws out of a three-quarters arm slot.
STRENGTHS The 24-year-old has a double-plus fastball that he can use to get swings and misses. The pitch has some armside run which allows it to miss the barrel of the bat. It is a high-spin offering and very much a modern fastball that plays above its velocity when it is spotted up in the zone. He also throws a plus curveball that has hard down action. It’s another offering that is difficult for batters to square up. His changeup is also a legitimate weapon that he could use more often, something he did do during his brief big league debut. He almost exclusively used it against left-handed batters in the past. The pitch shows good tumble and fade. He rounds out his arsenal with a slider that is primarily used away from right-handed batters. His command projects as average or better.
WEAKNESSES Cavalli can, at times, get too fastball reliant, which hurts him as he becomes too predictable with his pitch mix. His offspeed offerings are good enough to generate whiffs, and he needs to improve his confidence in incorporating each pitch. More usage of his curveball and changeup will be necessary in him realizing his ceiling. Cavalli also has a slight tendency to lose the zone, which has led to both high pitch innings and short outings. He has the frame to work deep into starts, but his inconsistent control and command do create risk.
SUMMARY This is what a number two starter looks like. He made his major league debut last season and his stuff didn’t look out of place. There’s obvious work to be done for him to meet that projection, but it’s likely that he finally breaks his way into the big league rotation this season. He should be a starter who posts high strikeout rates.
EVALUATOR Rhys White
5. Brady House, SS/3B - 50 OFP
Age: 19 Highest Level: A
2022 Pre-season Rank: 3 OFP: 55
| Hit | Power | Field | Arm | Run | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | 60 | 50 | 60 | 45 | High |
PHYSICAL Built like his last name, House presents a high-waisted and broad shouldered frame that oozes projection. There’s loads of present strength throughout his frame and room to grow. He battled a back injury in 2022 that cut his season to just 45 games.
STRENGTHS The 19-year-old has electric bat speed, and there is plus power potential in the bat with an impressive ability to rotate. His bat path is aimed to do damage and creates easy loft, especially to his pull side. He posted plus exit velocities during his abbreviated season while also running average contact rates. It’s a power-over-hit approach, but he should be able to make enough contact to do consistent damage. House is also one of the best arm talents in Washington’s system with the ability to make throws from multiple angels and on the move. His arm has above-average strength and accuracy and, as a whole, plays plus on the left side of the infield. The Nationals announced that House would work exclusively as a third baseman moving forward. He should also be able to grow into an average defender at the hot corner based on the strength of his arm and average lateral agility.
WEAKNESSES House has struggled with both velocity and firm breaking balls early in his career, especially out of the zone with fringe-average chase rates. There are some questions about his hit tool as a result. His slower foot speed led to him moving off shortstop. He’s a fringe-average straight line runner.
SUMMARY One of the youngest players in the 2021 class, House is still just 19 years old as he heads into his second full professional season. He’s yet to show his full potential since signing, and there’s a real chance he can make huge strides forward this season if he stays healthy. He has the upside to back up his draft pedigree.
EVALUATOR Ian Smith
6. Jarlin Susana, RHP - 45 OFP
Age: 19 Highest Level: A
2022 Pre-season Rank: 13 (SD) OFP: 45
7. Cristhian Vaquero, OF - 45 OFP
Age: 18 Highest Level: DSL
2022 Pre-season Rank: 4 OFP: 50
8. Cole Henry, RHP - 45 OFP
Age: 23 Highest Level: AAA
2022 Pre-season Rank: 5 OFP: 50
9. Jackson Rutledge, RHP - 45 OFP
Age: 23 Highest Level: A+
2022 Pre-season Rank: 6 OFP: 50
10. Jake Bennett, LHP - 45 OFP
Age: 22 Highest Level: NCAA
2022 MLB Draft Rank: 52