For baseball teams to be consistently good every year, they need to have depth in the farm system. The rankings have been recently released, including the new top 100 prospects entering the season.
Here are the top eight, according to MLB.com.
SS Wander Franco – Tampa Bay Rays
The top prospect in baseball is a shortstop in Tampa Bay’s farm system, with an MLB ETA of some time in 2021.
Wander Franco is going to start the season in High-A with the Charlotte Stone Crabs. Last season, he had a .327 batting average with nine home runs and 53 runs batted in (RBI), along with 18 stolen bases.
He also posted an on-base percentage of .398.
SS/2B Gavin Lux – Los Angeles Dodgers
Gavin Lux is a second baseman/shortstop in the Los Angeles Dodgers system and is expected to see a lot of time in the majors this season.
In 113 games last season with two teams, Gavin Lux’s batting average was .347 with 26 home runs and 76 RBI, along with 10 stolen bases and an on-base percentage of .421.
OF Luis Robert – Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert is the third-best prospect according to MLB.com.
Robert will most likely be on the opening day roster for Chicago. In 122 minor league games last season, his batting average was .328 with 32 home runs and 92 RBI’s, along with 36 stolen bases and an OBP of .376.
C Adley Rutschman – Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles’ catcher is the fourth-best prospect according to MLB.com after being taken first overall last season.
With Baltimore rebuilding, it seems like Rustchman is the cornerstone piece they’ll be building around.
Adley Rutschman is going to start the 2020 season in Single-A with the Delmarva Shorebirds. Last season, he played for three teams in the minor leagues, where he posted a batting average of .254 with four home runs and 26 RBI, along with one stolen base.
LHP MacKenzie Gore – San Diego Padres
The fifth-best prospect in the minor leagues heading into the 2020 season is left-handed pitcher MacKenzie Gore. Gore, the third pick in 2017, will start the season in Double-A with the Amarillo Sod Poodles.
He has nasty stuff in his arsenal and it is one of the reasons why San Diego refuses to part with him in potential trades. With two teams last season, his record was 9-2 with a 1.69 ERA. In 101 innings pitched, he gave up 56 hits and 19 runs, along with just 28 batters and 135 strikeouts.
OF Jo Adell – Los Angeles Angels
Adell is in the Los Angeles Angels farm system. Adell is projected to start the season with the Salt Lake Bees in Triple-A, but on the fast track to the majors.
Adell is going to be relied upon to do something this season as a rookie for Los Angeles. He played 76 games across three teams last season in the minor leagues, posting a batting average of .289 with 10 home runs and 36 RBI, along with seven stolen bases.
His on-base percentage was .359.
RHP Casey Mize – Detroit Tigers
Mize is expected to start the season with the Erie Seawolves. Since being drafted first overall in 2018, the right-hander has rapidly flown through the minors.
Casey Mize is going to be an Ace for this ball club whenever he gets called up to the big leagues, and he showed right away by throwing a no-hitter in Erie last season.
His record with two teams last season was 8-3 with a 2.55 ERA. In 109.1 innings pitched, Mize gave up 80 hits and 33 runs, along with 23 walks and 106 strikeouts.
The Auburn product has all of the tools to be a Cy Young Award Winner one day.
RHP Nate Pearson – Toronto Blue Jays
Right-handed pitcher Nate Pearson is the eighth-best prospect in baseball. He is in the Toronto Blue Jays farm system and is projected to be called up this season.
Pearson pitched for three teams last season and he has very good stuff. His record was 5-4 with a 2.30 ERA. In 101.2 innings pitched, he surrendered 63 hits and 26 runs, whiling walking 27 batters and striking out 119.
For more information on these prospects, visit MLB.com and it can be searched under the player’s tab.
