Prospects: The Next Generation

In today’s day and age where prospects are getting younger and more capable, everyone is on the lookout for the next big superstar. I’m talking beyond Wyatt Langford, Jackson Holliday and James Wood. It’s hard to narrow it down to just a few but someone’s has to do it. I’ll highlight a couple of bigger names and some not so obvious names.

Spencer Jones, OF, Yankees

By the end of this year, Jones could be the number one prospect in baseball. In my opinion, anything less would be criminal. The Yankees reportedly wouldn’t include Jones in any trade package to the White Sox for Dylan Cease. I’m not exaggerating when I say we could be looking at Aaron Judge 2.0. Every tool that has been measured is average to elite. The power display along with a great eye have been on showcase this spring. He’s an above-average fielder and may push Jasson Dominguez into more of a DH role as Jones can play all three outfield positions. He will have his share of strikeouts, but you have to take that with a lot of young power hitters finding their groove. I believe the strikeout percentage of 29% last year will come down with additional instruction.

Owen Caissie, OF, Cubs

Sometimes you look at a prospect and say, darn he’s been in that system for years. Caissie has been a highly touted power bat in the Cubs farm system for the past few years. The power bat is the key. You are looking at a top five power tool in all of the minors. Most of the time you would see a lower OBP for a young bat like his, but that’s where he bucks the stereotype. Last year in 120 games in AA, Caissie had a .398 OBP, showing an improved eye and understanding of the strike zone. All the other tools are average, but he could easily take the next step this year and force the Cubs to evaluate things in the outfield, as Pete Crow-Armstrong and Kevin Alcantara are also waiting in the wings.

Jett Williams, SS, Mets

As a Mets fan, Williams is one of the most coveted prospects I can remember the Mets having in quite a few years. I’m not saying he will be a savior to all the Mets problems, but there is reason to be excited. Obviously most know about the speed as an above average tool. Jett also boasts and emerging above average hit tool as well. Patience at the plate is key as he led all the minor leagues in walks last season with 104. Francisco Lindor currently holds down the shortstop position at the major league level so the Mets have been easing Williams into the outfield due to his athleticism. While I don’t see as high a ceiling as some other prospects, Williams could be a glue piece to a Mets major league lineup that strikes out

Abimelec Ortiz, 1B, Rangers

This is by far the biggest sleeper of the bunch. He is a top 100 prospect in my eyes but is getting very little love in baseball circles. Ortiz is a future star. A well above-average power tool pairs with an underrated hit tool creating a bat first prospect. Ortiz ranked in the top five in most power categories for the minor leagues last year, including leading the minors in slugging at .619. The Rangers are taking a cautious approach with Ortiz but he may force their hands as he has already shown improvement this spring, walking eight times in nine games so far. The only knock on Ortiz is he’s fairly slow around the bases. That shouldn’t affect him though as he is able to put the ball in play on a regular basis.

Irish’s quick hits

Jared Jones of the Pirates has already carved out a nice spot in the rotation. A high strikeout percentage guy he is trending towards being an ace for an organization that has really struggled over the past few years.

Defense is not the name of the game for Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Blaze Alexander. A bat plus talent, he has taken advantage of injuries and opportunities. Most had forgotten about Blaze due to Jordan Lawlar being in the Diamondbacks organization.

Speaking of opportunity, Cody Bradford of the Rangers was 3-0 before going to the IL with a lower back strain. I had originally projected Bradford as a back-end starter, but I believe his ceiling is a solid SP2 at the major league level.

The speedy Victor Scott II is off to a rough start hitting under .100 for the season. He looks lost and a trip back to AAA to fix things could be in order.

The following will be making major league debuts in the coming week or have already made their debuts: Landon Knack, Jack Leiter, Andy Pages, Forrest Whitley, Spencer Arrighetti. Stay tuned for more updates.

Ed Fingerhut

Ed Fingerhut has been around baseball his entire life. He grew up ten minutes from Cooperstown and the Baseball Hall of Fame. This has given him the inspiration to bring his baseball knowledge to the masses. The Mets have been Ed’s squad since he saw Howard Johnson play at Shea Stadium back in the early 90’s. You may have seen his work as he was a Senior Writer for The Weekly Streamer and FantraxHQ. He also specializes in salary cap fantasy leagues and 30 team baseball leagues. Ed Is a Veteran and father of four. In his spare time he goes to the Albuquerque Isotopes (AAA Rockies) and scouts new up and coming players.

• Ed Fingerhut

  https://www.prospects1500.com/author/efingerhutp1500/

  

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