TomtheBombadil

Jordan Wicks As safe as it gets for a first division SP prospect after throwing a healthy season to follow up 2022's injury shortened one. Healthy, full mix, command, control, very high compete/tons of chutzpah, sneaky good size, strength, and mobility, has a marquee pitch, and really as loaded a resume as anyone in the org. The total package reads like a long time mid-rotation and playoff SP with continued developmentMichael Busch 2023's AAA showing (.323/.431/.618 with all the bells and whistles) reads like a true breakout from a former first with a long track record of hitting and from much higher up the defensive spectrum than he'll end up. There's a shot he's the best hitter on the ML club as soon as this year. There's optimism on defense, but that complete offensive game is the meal ticket with the potential to work at 1B/DHCade Horton While the TJ and light track record isn't my pre-pandemic cup of tea and 2023 didn't necessarily blow up my performance expectations of pitching into the upper minors with lots of Ks, the things he has going for him are key. Improved size, strength, and mechanics helped him to improve as the year went on, including velo, with more in the tank. Everything works because of the command he has for that slider working in and out of the zone. Avg 96 would be hugePete Crow-Armstrong Much improved offensive approach in 2023 makes average power realistic enough but could struggle to hit for average or get on base. Good on him working 3 walks during the ML debut, walking more in general. I don’t hate FG’s Mike Cameron with less y2y consistency (L v L without big power) comp. BJ Murray JrOwen Caissie Two Iowa breakout candidates coming off strong full seasons at AA, Richard Gallardo Coming off the ankle injury this is either way too high or at least 5 slots too low. Avg ~96 t99 with improved secondaries with more in the tank, natural strike thrower with strength and athleticismMatt Shaw Contact and power make him a likely MLer, deserves a shot at SS but partially because it's hard to see him sticking in the infield (as a good defender) anywhere elseMoises Ballesteros Has much potential Value on a roster as a high contact bat with some power at C early but defense, size, and frame are long term obstacles. 20 for the 2024 season and probably in AA so the opportunity is there to max appeal.Derniche Valdez The most powerful age 17 in this org that I can think of, hinted at an advanced approach behind those Ks. Probably not a SS, not expected to be, but got good infield defensive reviews as an amateur. If things go great could end up a Bregman-esque 3B. His assignment should be pretty telling as there's enough to give him a shot at MB, even if not OD, pretty early in the season Kevin Alcantara CF defense and raw power carry. Still seems like a 4th OF with a very raw offensive approach Luke LittleBen BrownJaxon Wiggins Lower than I thought but has the frame to end up a SP prospect if he can round out breaking stuff Matt Mervis Not so different from last year, trading good vibes to get the PAs in AAA and MLB rather than starting in High A. Cheap LH power on a high effort player who won't kill the defense at 1BJames Triantos Raw power is more an issue towards any starting potential even second division than the weak defense Jefferson Rojas Similar to Shaw in that he may not work in the infield out of SS but did well at the position in 2023. Relatively likely ML for his age thanks to high contact and some power in full season ball already Michael Carico Lots to like coming being drafted at 20 as a LHH C and 3 year starter with dominant offensive numbers. Bat first like Ballesteros but with better dims, maybe a better all around approach even if there's more Ks, more raw power....Fun if you're not looking for a two way super mega duper ultra star out of a 5th round pick Brett Bateman I do like my Nicky Lopez of the OF comp, LHH contact and a smooth defender Ethan Hearn Seems wonky but the defense including arm strength, approach, and power potential at C give him a really long leash (as does being a less common LHH at the position). Impressive tools at the position, keeps improving the frame and actions on defense while seeing more and more velo over time. Like alot of players on this list is an intense competitor not so far off from being a very highly regarded amateur

Pete Crow-Armstrong Having one of the best all around prospect seasons in the minors Cade Horton Not blowing up expectations and I'm maybe most impressed by a more filled out lower body and better lower body mechanicsBJ Murray Jr Enjoying a breakout in AA at 3B, may have more offense in the tank by pulling more ballsMatt Shaw Could move fast, position TBDDerniche Valdez If you can forgive some Ks, may be showing signs of being the most advanced RHH to enter the org in some time. Power potential Owen Caissie This high in part because a 20 YO LHH with game power in AA has strong trade value. EVs and patience suggest a real ceiling, groundballs and K suggest it may take some time. Drafted at 17 out of a Canadian HS, big frame. Earnest defender with an arm but that also needs reps Jordan Wicks Getting through 2023 would be a big win after missing time to an elbow injury. Not hurting himself in Iowa overall but has lost some KsRichard Gallardo Bah, this ankle injury...Otherwise was enjoying a breakout including maybe averaging 95-96 this season on the FB, hitting 99...High utility curveballs but power slider and changeup need some shaping up. Pre-injury was more or less on pace for 150 IP. Struck out the first batter in 3 pitches last start (FB, FB, CV) before tripping trying to field a soft grounder, could come back with more of a power game. I did think about knocking him out entirely Jaxon Wiggins Power arm recovering from TJ, changeup as primary offspeed suggests more pitchability than expected looking at his stats, could be a 100/90 guy with fastball, changeup, slider Jackson Ferris Averaging less than 3 IP on the season but improving lately, very raw and still building up arm strength but there's a bat missing starter's ceiling. Another prospect with sneaky trade Value this coming offseason Moises Ballesteros Another guy with a trade value bump. Better approach but doesn't have Caissie's raw or game power. Could be a catcher but a ways to goKevin Alcantara CF defense got him a 40 spot and makes him a likely MLer, has raw power, approach makes it tough to say whether he'll hit at all. So high in part because he has some meaningful trade value James Triantos Another trade value bump. Improved approach this year but running into the same problem as Ballesteros where he's not getting over the fence power and doesn't have a ton of projection Luke Little Up to AAA, 93-97 this year with a new splitter, still working on mechanics, shapes, overall strength and conditioning but the tools are there for a power LHRP. Also has some trade value as an upper minors bat missing lefty Marino Santy Underrated season featuring higher workload, weak contact, missed bats, and a ton of GBs (~66% in his MiLB career, 63% this year), up to 96-97, seems like his breaking stuff is as productive as anyone's in the org. Beter than Little was at the level in 2022Ethan Hearn Nothing unexpected happening for me as he's maintained his approach but overall hitting less and for less power at the new level. High defensive ceiling as a catcher and one of the better batted ball profiles in the org other than HR/FB carries this profile, still a potential 2 way catcher with a rising floor as the defense improvesDrew Gray Building up arm strength after TJ, similar to Santy but not as outstanding, could be a riser next year Ben Brown Has 4 shapely, power pitches to start, would love a big park like KC's or NYM's, but command and control seem reliever-y for this org. Currently injured Brennan Davis Looking yoked out in Arizona and probably feeling a little miffed these days....Brennen* Brett Bateman High energy, high contact LHH with the glove to play anywhere in the OF, and can run. The lack of power hurts him less than it would others, a 9th round pick with stuff all ML teams are happy to have Left off Amaya and Palencia on purpose Something ~ like this maybe