Scout the Statline: Prospects to Know for the Second Half

F1cnCFZXsAAVxt5 — Roman Anthony, Greenville Drive, July 19, 2023. Photo credit Dan Victor, @slydanno70 on Twitter

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In this series, we shed light on notable changes in the prospect landscape based on results from our statistical data models, which can be found on Scout the Statline. Our goal is to help YOU find THE NEXT BIG THING before others get to it.

This is my third article in this series following an introduction in March with some underrated preseason names to know and a follow-up in May on early prospects to target! In this piece, I want to discuss names from the first half that have risen for you to target through the remainder of the season. Some of them are well-known, others not as well-known – all of them demand your attention! If you want to be ahead of your competition, check out our Scout the Statline leaderboards, which have an established track record of bubbling up top prospects before the mainstream has caught up.

2023’s Prospects to Buy in the Second Half

Colt Keith (DET, 3B, 21, Triple-A)

We thought there might be a breakout coming from Keith in 2023, but even I’m surprised with how much he has shot up through the year! After a stellar Fall put him on the radar for many, Keith has kept it going this year as a 21-year-old in the highest levels of the minor leagues, slashing .314/.382/.545 despite a July swoon in Triple-A. This looks like one of the strongest all-around bats in the minor leagues and he has become a top 10 prospect for me. There’s a pretty strong chance we see him in the major leagues before the end of the season!

Tyler Black (MIL, 3B, 22, Double-A)

Today (as of this writing) mark’s Tyler Black’s 23rd birthday! His age-22 season in the minors has been nothing short of impressive. There’s a solid bat, decent power, strong plate discipline, and surprising speed in Black’s profile. Overall, on the season he is slashing .288/.429/.540 at the Double-A level, with 14 HRs and an eye-popping 45 stolen bases in just 346 plate appearances. The floor is already pretty high, but the ceiling is appealing too. Keith has exploded into the Top 5 on Scout the Statline’s projection ranking at #4 overall!

Ignacio Alvarez (ATL, 3B, 20, High-A)

Despite some pretty strong overall results for Nacho, it’s been a bit of an up-and-down season overall. Alvarez started out of the gates strong, hitting for average and showing off a very impressive eye in April with 21 walks and just 8 strikeouts. May was a struggle, and Alvarez only managed a .691 OPS. Around that time, we highlighted Alvarez, mentioning to watch out if he developed power. This July Alvarez has 4 HRs and a .621 SLG. He seems to have taken a slightly more aggressive approach to dip into that extra power, nonetheless, Alvarez is an intriguing talent that I’m looking to add where I can!

Coby Mayo (BAL, 3B, 21, Triple-A)

Another big breakout this season, Mayo has the best combination of power and proximity that you’ll find on this list. Mayo, like Keith above, has advanced to the highest levels of the minor leagues, doing it in style this season. Overall, he is slashing .303/.412/.598 with 19 HRs. He’ll want to work on his plate discipline at Triple-A to unlock his full potential, and the Orioles are going to struggle trying to balance all their infield talent, but this bat will play (likely as soon as this year).

Roman Anthony (BOS, OF, 19, High-A)

One of 2023’s biggest risers is none other than Roman Anthony. The 19-year-old, mostly known as somewhat raw but toolsy, surprised quite a few in his Single-A debut, despite the modest surface numbers (which included a .228 average and .317 SLG). However, Anthony showcased a much more advanced plate approach than expected, walking as many times as he struck out and posting a .376 OBP. The Red Sox were pleased enough to challenge him with a promotion to High-A, and Anthony has soared since that moment, slashing .315/.460/.685 since with a home run every 14 plate appearances. Anthony has already begun to soar up top prospect lists. Act before he becomes unaffordable!

Samuel Basallo (BAL, C, 18, Single-A)

One of the most pleasant breakouts of the year, Samuel Basallo is yet another talented Oriole in a system chalk full of talent. At just 18 years old, Basallo has thrived at the Single-A level (an advanced assignment for such a youngster), slashing .301/.379/.512 with 12 HRs. Look for Basallo to shoot into top 100 lists everywhere, if he isn’t there already!

Sebastian Walcott (TEX, SS, 17, CPX/Rookie)

Walcott has scouts everywhere drooling over his tools and potential. Lucky for us at Scout the Statline, Walcott has lived up to that billing so far in his young career. At just 17 years old, Walcott has been one of the CPX/Rookie level’s top performers so far, slashing .287/.381/.565 and smashing 6 HRs in 134 plate appearances. He can stand to work on his plate approach some, but Walcott’s immense ceiling and performance given his age and level is impressive enough to merit a hearty recommendation.

Colson Montgomery (CHW, SS, 21, High-A)

After missing the first half of the season with nagging injuries, Montgomery has returned to the field with fury, bullying opposing pitcher with a silly .364/.546/.571 triple slash line while walking nearly twice as often as he has struck out (27:15), albeit in just 107 plate appearances. I think it’s reasonable to question just how much power Montgomery will hit for, but some have already begun to label him a top 10 prospect.

Xavier Isaac (TBR, 1B, 19, Single-A)

There’s a little bit of something for everyone when it comes to Isaac (except speed). Scouts love his swing. The lumbering, 6’4, 240 lbs. 1B prospect has ample power. He has excellent plate discipline. He hits for average. The ingredients are all there for another Rays success story.

Abimelec Ortiz (TEX, 1B, 21, High-A)

Another 1B prospect, Abimelec Ortiz has found something special this season. In his two prior seasons, Ortiz flashed power but was unable to make consistent contact. Ortiz has mashed all season, first repeating the Single-A level and then after promotion to High-A. Overall, Ortiz is slashing .322/.389/.671 with 23 HRs. He has some of the greatest power potential in the minor leagues.

Sal Stewart (CIN, 3B, 19, Single-A)

This is by far the most speculative entrant on the list. I’ve been a fan of Stewart’s impressive plate discipline all season at Single-A (53 walks, 54 strikeouts), but he wasn’t really showing much else. I was emboldened to include him here after an impressive June where he slashed .337/.406/.584. The potential is there for much more, and he likely doesn’t come with an extreme price tag!

For an extra edge, consider a membership with us to unlock access to a bevy of exclusive tools, features, and daily updates! Good luck in the second half! If you have any questions or thoughts to bounce off me, you can find me on Twitter (or X, whatever they are calling it these days) @rossjensen12! Let’s get busy winning!

Ross Jensen