Keith Law Updated Top 50

[tgkimmel]

Thought I'd share.

 

Drafted players who haven't signed are ineligible, as is anyone currently on a major league roster. I've also omitted several pitchers who have missed significant time this year with arm injuries, waiting until they return to rerank them as needed.

 

35. Javier Baez, SS, Chicago Cubs (age 19)

Current level: Low Class A (Peoria)

Preseason ranking: 95

 

The lack of patience (30 strikeouts and seven walks in 129 at-bats) is a concern -- he was a bit of a hacker in high school but could hit almost everything close to the plate then -- but the bat speed and power are still strong. He has even shown some unexpected ability to steal bases in a small sample. Like several shortstop prospects on this list, he is more likely to end up as a third baseman in the majors.

 

47. Albert Almora, OF, Chicago Cubs (age 18)

Current level: TBD

Preseason ranking: N/A

 

Projects as a plus defender in center who hits for high averages. He agreed to terms Wednesday and probably won't appear in a game until next week.

 

50. Jorge Soler, OF, Chicago Cubs (age 20)

Current level: TBD

Preseason ranking: N/A

 

The toolsy outfielder should make his pro debut next week, at which point we'll start to see how polished he is, or isn't, as a hitter.

 

It's an insider article, link is

http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/8150343/jurickson-profar-texas-rangers-new-no-1-prospect-baseball-mlb

[sneakypower]

no Matt Szczur???

[El Duderino]

I wonder where Rizzo would have been.

[Tyrant]

no Matt Szczur???

 

He was in Law's Bottom 50 list.

[toonsterwu]

no Matt Szczur???

 

He was in Law's Bottom 50 list.

 

That seems fair. I think people want to see him keep up his improvement while also doing it at a higher level.

 

It's hard for me to imagine Matt Szczur ever being in a top 50 of a list, though. He'd have to rake like Jackie Bradley Jr. is right now, while kicking up the power a bit. Not impossible, I guess, but hard to see him hit that well in general (and if he did, hard to see him still stuck in the minors and prospect eligible).

[Guest]

no Matt Szczur???

 

He was in Law's Bottom 50 list.

 

That seems fair. I think people want to see him keep up his improvement while also doing it at a higher level.

 

It's hard for me to imagine Matt Szczur ever being in a top 50 of a list, though. He'd have to rake like Jackie Bradley Jr. is right now, while kicking up the power a bit. Not impossible, I guess, but hard to see him hit that well in general (and if he did, hard to see him still stuck in the minors and prospect eligible).

 

He meant bottom 50 in all of minor league baseball. Possibly college, high school, and little league too.

[toonsterwu]

oh ... ha ... I completely didn't catch that