List of the top 100 prospects for 2021

The annual unveiling of the MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 Lead List is usually a sign that spring, or at least spring training, is upon us. And while that is true in 2020, no one could have predicted what would have happened, or would not have happened, in the coming season.

The annual unveiling of the MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 Lead List is usually a sign that spring, or at least spring training, is upon us. And even if that were true in 2020, no one could have predicted what would have happened, or would not have happened, in the coming season.

Despite the pandemic-curtailed Major League campaign and the Minor League’s lack of a season, many 2020 Top 100 players have reached the highest level and made contributions in baseball, from cellar dwellers to World Series champions.

Once again, we are all hopeful for something close to a normal season. And again, many members of our brand new 2021 Top 100 Prospects list will create excitement in the big leagues throughout the year.

Unsurprisingly, the list is once again at the top of the Rays Wander Franco shortstop phenomenon, for a fourth consecutive edition (preseason mid-season 2019-2021). The top 10 also includes a pair of Mariners offsets and two Padres prospects.

Those on the list must have recruit eligibility. To qualify for rookie status, a player must not have passed 130 batting or 50 innings pitched in the major leagues, or have accumulated more than 45 days on the active roster of one or more Major League clubs. during the 25 players. time limit, excluding time on the wounded list or in military service. Rankings continue to follow the guidelines established by the collective agreement for who falls under the international pooling rules. Players aged 25 and over and having played in reputable professional leagues (Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Cuba) are not eligible.

The Top 100 is made up by myself, Jim Callis and Mike Rosenbaum, with input from industry sources including Boy Scouts and front office executives. It is based on the analysis of player advantages, tools and the potential impact of the Major League.

MLB Network will air its Top 100 Prospects show on February 13 at 5 p.m. ET.

The Top 10
1. Wander Franco, SS, Rays
2. Adley Rutschman, C, Orioles
3. Spencer Torkelson, 3B / 1B, Tigers
4. Jarred Kelenic, OF, Mariners
5. Julio Rodriguez, OF, navigators
6. MacKenzie Gore, LHP, Padres
7. Bobby Witt Jr., SS, Royals
8. CJ Abrams, SS, Padres
9. Ke’Bryan Hayes, 3B, Pirates
10. Nate Pearson, RHP, Blue Jays
Complete list “

The new comers

Players from the 2020 Draft are not included in this section as they weren’t there to make the roster a year ago. There aren’t as many new names this time around due to the unusual nature of the 2020 season, but there are some intriguing players jumping on the roster this year.

It’s a group that starts with Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena, who took Major League Baseball by storm, hitting seven home runs in just 64 regular-season at-bats, then hitting 10 more in one run. absolutely ridiculous post-season that included an American League Championship Series MVP. . That’s why he’s making his debut at No. 34 in this year’s Top 100.

No other newcomer is in the top 50, but a pair of right-handed pitchers have come up. Indians’ Triston McKenzie, who had been on the roster in previous years but fell in 2019, has made his way into the big leagues, and Cleveland’s postseason roster sits at No. 51, while Pirates’ 2019 first-round pick Quinn Priester debuts at No.52.

Highest risers

It’s not just newcomers who are making a jump in 2021. Several players who made last year’s Top 100 have a large up arrow next to their names. There are six players who have improved their standings by more than 25 places year over year, led by D-back outfielder Corbin Carroll. The first round of 2019 flew from No.89 to No.47. Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas moved from No.77 to No.44 while Pirates’ third goal Ke’Bryan Hayes s ‘is catapulted into the top 10, coming No. 9 after the No. 41 standings ahead of the 2020 season. Royals left-hander Daniel Lynch made a similar 32-point jump (No. 61 to No. 29), the Blue Jays Jordan Groshans moved up from No.75 to No.46 and Angels outfielder Brandon Marsh also improved 26 places (from No.79 to No.53).

Most distant falls

There are six top 100 prospects from last year’s preseason who fell off the list in 2021, all of them in the 80-100 range. Marlins outfielder Jesús Sánchez is the best prospect to die for (No.80), followed by Phillies shortstop Bryston Stott (No.87), Rays right-hander Brent Honeywell (No.91), Yankees RHP Deivi García (n ° 8). 92), nationals shortstop Luis Garcia (No.97) and Giants left Seth Corry (No.99).

The diplomas

Even with the year shortened, a good number of prospects have had enough time in the league to come out of prospect lists. That group of 17 is topped by Dodgers infielder Gavin Lux, who was No.2 a year ago. He was joined by two other top 10 prospects, White Sox forwards Luis Robert (No.3) and Angels’ Jo Adell (No.6). A left-hander Jesús Luzardo (No.12) and Dodgers right-hander Dustin May (No.23) were the best pitchers to come off the roster.

Positional distribution

It’s one of the heaviest Top 100s we’ve had in a long time. There are 39 pitchers in total, 27 right-handed and 12 left-handed, a far cry from the 47 arms we’ve had in the previous two years. We only had 39 pitchers in 2016, after having 42 in 2017.

There are still more pitchers in total than any other position, with the 25 closest outfielders. Shortstops come next with 14 in the Top 100, followed by nine catchers, seven third baseman, four second baseman and a pair first baseman.

Feel the draft

When we reclassify the Top 100 this summer, it gives us the opportunity to add members of the most recent Draft class. In 2020, outside of graduations, this was the only change to the roster. Due to the pandemic, the order of existing players on the roster has remained static, aside from making room for the 14 Class of 20 who have been added. This harvest is led, of course, by Spencer Torkelson, first overall pick, our third prospect. Five other first-round picks are in the top 50 overall: # 22 Austin Martin, OF (Blue Jays), # 28 Max Meyer, RHP (Marlins), # 30 Asa Lacy, LHP (Royals), # # 31 Emerson Hancock, RHP (Mariners) and # 43 Nick Gonzales, 2B (Pirates). A total of 81 former recruits are in the Top 100.

International flavor

That leaves 19 international signatories on the list (reminder: players from Canada and Puerto Rico are drafted.). Unsurprisingly, the Dominican Republic leads this group with a dozen representatives. The Bahamas and Venezuela each have two Top 100 players, while Colombia, Cuba and Panama each have one representative.