Spring Training 2018: Each MLB Team's Top Prospect Making Early Waves
Spring training is scarcely underway in Florida and Arizona. We've got ample time to evaluate the performance of veterans and youngsters alike before Opening Day.
Still, after the initial flurry of exhibition action, we can peek at the top prospects who have made early waves for their respective teams.
Let's do that for all 30 clubs. Sample-size caveats apply, but we're basing this on credible early chatter and possible paths to playing time as well as stats.
American League West
1 of 6
Houston Astros: OF Kyle Tucker
There almost certainly isn't a place for Kyle Tucker on the Houston Astros' Opening Day roster. He's made an early impression for the champs, however, cracking a pair of home runs and tallying five RBI.
Already, Tucker's teammates have taken a comparison to Ted Williams and nicknamed the 21-year-old "Ted," per Chron.com's Hunter Atkins. They even wrote it on his locker.
"He's not gonna touch it," manager A.J. Hinch said, per Atkins. "He's not taking that down."
Los Angeles Angels: RHP/DH Shohei Ohtani
No player trailed more hype into spring than two-way Japanese star Shohei Ohtani.
The 23-year-old wasn't perfect in his pitching debut with the Los Angeles Angels, as he yielded a walk and a home run in 1.1 innings. He also struck out a pair and flashed a high-90s fastball complemented by sharp breaking balls.
In his first look as a hitter, Ohtani got a knock, drew two walks and picked up an RBI. He went hitless in three at-bats on Tuesday, but so far he's shown enough for Halos fans to be giddy.
Oakland Athletics: LHP A.J. Puk
The Oakland Athletics did little to address their suspect starting rotation this winter. Instead, they're hoping for a developmental leap from left-handed prospect A.J. Puk.
The 22-year-old delivered in his Cactus League debut, twirling two unblemished innings with a strikeout.
"I think the most impressive thing for me is the poise he has on the mound and the ability to throw strikes with any of his pitches," manager Bob Melvin said, per Martin Gallegos of the San Jose Mercury News. "His changeup, for a guy that maybe that was an issue earlier in his career, it certainly is not right now."
Seattle Mariners: OF Braden Bishop
Here's why you're rooting for Braden Bishop: The Seattle Mariners prospect vowed, via his official Twitter feed, to donate money to Alzheimer's research for every hit he collects this spring in honor of his mother.
So far, Bishop—who slashed .306/.393/.413 last season between High-A and Double-A—has two knocks in three at-bats.
Texas Rangers: OF Willie Calhoun
Best-shape-of-his-life narratives are as common as sunshine in spring training. That said, Willie Calhoun shed weight this winter in his quest to become the Texas Rangers' everyday left fielder, per Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
We know Calhoun can hit. He clubbed 31 homers with a .927 OPS at Triple-A last season. So far this spring, he's 3-for-8 with a pair of RBI.
American League Central
2 of 6
Chicago White Sox: RHP Michael Kopech
The Chicago White Sox will likely send top pitching prospect Michael Kopech to Triple-A because of MLB's service-time rules. In the meantime, ChiSox fans can watch him and dream of the near future.
The 21-year-old didn't disappoint in his spring debut as he touched triple digits on the radar gun and tossed two scoreless innings with three strikeouts.
"The velocity is going to be there for me," Kopech said, per MLB.com's Richard Justice. He isn't kidding.
Cleveland Indians: C Francisco Mejia
Francisco Mejia will need a huge spring to push to the top of the Cleveland Indians' catching depth chart. The 22-year-old is off to an excellent start after sipping his cup of coffee in 2017. So far this spring, he's got two hits in four at-bats, including a home run.
Roberto Perez and Yan Gomes figure to assume behind-the-plate duties initially, but Mejia's stay at Triple-A Columbus could be short-lived.
Detroit Tigers: OF Daz Cameron
The son of former big leaguer Mike Cameron, 21-year-old Daz Cameron totes more than MLB lineage into spring training. He brings the promise of an athletic, high-upside hitter who could soon be a part of the rebuilding Detroit Tigers.
"He's serious about his craft, works hard, and appears to be an achiever," Tigers vice president for player development Dave Littlefield said, per Lynn Henning of the Detroit News.
A hit, a run and an RBI in his first spring appearance only boosted Cameron's stock.
Kansas City Royals: INF Adalberto Mondesi
Changing his name from Raul Mondesi Jr. to Adalberto didn't change Mondesi's fate coming into spring training.
He's squeezed in the middle infield by Whit Merrifield and veteran Alcides Escobar. Still, Mondesi could open the Kansas City Royals' eyes and minds with a stellar spring.
So far so great, as the 22-year-old has cracked four hits and a home run, scored three runs and collected three RBI in eight at-bats.
Minnesota Twins: RHP Fernando Romero
Fernando Romero missed two full seasons after undergoing Tommy John surgery but showed flashes in a healthy 2017 MiLB campaign.
In two innings this spring for the Minnesota Twins, the 23-year-old right-hander has yielded no walks or hits and struck out three.
That's officially good news for the Twinkies.
American League East
3 of 6
Baltimore Orioles: C Chance Sisco
Caleb Joseph is the nominal favorite to win the Baltimore Orioles' catching job out of spring, but prospect Chance Sisco is in the conversation.
Sisco has made it an interesting discussion early in the Grapefruit League, banging out four hits in nine at-bats, including a home run.
It's only a matter of time until the 23-year-old is donning the tools of ignorance for the O's on an everyday basis.
Boston Red Sox: 1B Sam Travis
Sam Travis needs to find his power stroke to earn regular reps with the Boston Red Sox. He can get on base, as he showed with a .351 on-base percentage at Triple-A Pawtucket, but he has to do better than the six home runs and 14 doubles he managed in 82 games at that level.
In his first four spring games, Travis cracked a pair of doubles with two RBI.
"Sam has legit power," hitting coach Tom Hyers said, per Christopher Smith of MassLive.com. "I just think it's some positioning to get him on plain with the baseball to kind of get the ball in the air to utilize some of it."
New York Yankees: 3B Miguel Andujar
The New York Yankees are hoping Miguel Andujar can plug the hole at third base created by the offseason trade of veteran Chase Headley and their decision not to re-sign Todd Frazier.
So far, the 22-year-old is justifying that hope.
Andujar has shot out of the gate, going 4-for-10 with two home runs. It's too early to declare him a member of the burgeoning Bronx Bombers, but the odds are in his favor.
Tampa Bay Rays: SS Willy Adames
The Tampa Bay Rays spent the winter selling pieces, including third baseman Evan Longoria, right-hander Jake Odorizzi and outfielder Corey Dickerson.
Now, it's up to the kids to inject excitement into the Rays fanbase.
Shortstop and top position-player prospect Willy Adames has done his share, cracking a home run and collecting three RBI in three games.
Toronto Blue Jays: RHP Nate Pearson
Most of the Toronto Blue Jays' highest-rated prospects are a fair distance from The Show, including top position-player blue chips Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette.
The same goes for 21-year-old Nate Pearson, who dominated in 19 rookie league innings last season and now needs to prove he can do it over a full season.
In early camp, Jays minor league director Gil Kim praised Pearson's "exciting combination of performance, ability and makeup," per Richard Griffin of the Toronto Star.
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National League West
4 of 6
Arizona Diamondbacks: RHP Taylor Clarke
Taylor Clarke rose as high as Triple-A with the Arizona Diamondbacks last season while demonstrating his ability to eat innings (145 in all), and the 24-year-old could soon land a spot in the D-backs' rotation.
He doesn't possess ace-level stuff, but his mid-90s fastball, plus slider and emerging changeup give him the arsenal to be a mid-rotation arm. Two scoreless innings with four strikeouts in the Cactus League don't hurt.
Colorado Rockies: 1B Ryan McMahon
With Ian Desmond sliding to the outfield, there's a path to playing time at first base on the Colorado Rockies for prospect Ryan McMahon.
The 23-year-old spanked six hits in his first 12 spring at-bats, including a pair of doubles.
"I think I am just really trusting myself and trusting what I am doing," McMahon said, per Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post. "I think there is a little bit more of a noticeable confidence with me, with how I'm carrying myself. I don't want to say it's cocky. I just believe in who I am and what I do."
Los Angeles Dodgers: OF Alex Verdugo
As complete a team as they are, the Los Angeles Dodgers are sorting through a muddled outfield this spring. They've got options but precious few answers.
Enter Alex Verdugo, who could join shortstop Corey Seager and first baseman Cody Bellinger to form a potent, homegrown offensive core.
The 21-year-old sipped a cup of coffee with L.A. in 2017 and smacked two doubles in his first three spring contests. At the least he'll be at Triple-A waiting for a call. At best, he'll be jogging on to the field on Opening Day.
San Diego Padres: INF Luis Urias
It's all about the future for the rebuilding San Diego Padres.
Give an early-spring pat on the cap to infielder Luis Urias, the No. 9 shortstop prospect in the game according to MLB.com.
The 20-year-old former Mexican League star advanced to Double-A in 2017. So far in the Cactus League, he's hit three doubles in six at-bats.
San Francisco Giants: OF Austin Slater
The San Francisco Giants remade their outfield this winter with the additions of Andrew McCutchen and Austin Jackson. They need to fill out the fourth and possibly fifth outfield spots behind that duo and incumbent Hunter Pence.
There are multiple candidates, but 25-year-old Austin Slater has staked an early claim with four hits in his first eight at-bats, including a home run.
National League Central
5 of 6
Chicago Cubs: RHP Oscar De La Cruz
The Chicago Cubs' formerly vaunted farm system has been diminished by promotions and trades. It isn't bereft of talent, however.
Oscar De La Cruz showed no ill effects from a pectoral injury suffered in the Arizona Fall League as he struck out two in two scoreless Cactus League frames.
A jump from High-A to Double-A is in the works for the 22-year-old, and it may not be long before he's showcasing his abilities at Wrigley Field.
Cincinnati Reds: INF Nick Senzel
The second overall pick in the 2016 draft, Nick Senzel has a realistic if longish shot of making the Cincinnati Reds' Opening Day roster.
The 22-year-old will need to rake this spring while getting reps at shortstop and third base. In his first five at-bats, he got two hits, scored a run and drove one in.
"Well, he's a professional kid," Reds manager Bryan Price said, per John Fay of Cincinnati.com. "I don't think any of this is overwhelming. If it is, he does a great job of not showing it."
Milwaukee Brewers: RHP Luis Ortiz
The Milwaukee Brewers' top pitching prospect, Luis Ortiz rose to Double-A in 2017 and could be called on soon to buttress a suspect MLB pitching staff, especially if the Brew Crew don't splurge on an impact starter such as Jake Arrieta.
The 22-year-old rose to the challenge in his spring debut, fanning one in a spotless inning. As Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel opined, Ortiz has "a chance to be part of a mostly home-grown rotation down the line."
Pittsburgh Pirates: OF Austin Meadows
After dealing McCutchen to the Giants and ace Gerrit Cole to the Astros, the Pittsburgh Pirates have seemingly committed to a rebuild.
That could open a spot for outfield prospect Austin Meadows, who has battled injuries but consistently produced when healthy during his five years in the Bucs system.
Out of the exhibition gate, he's gone 4-for-7 with two doubles, a triple and five RBI.
St. Louis Cardinals: RHP Jack Flaherty
The St. Louis Cardinals are banking on top prospect Alex Reyes to return from Tommy John surgery, but he's not the only notable pitching prospect in the Cards' system.
Jack Flaherty, the second-ranked hurler on St. Louis' farm, according to MLB.com, is on track to play a role for the Redbirds soon.
The 22-year-old showed why with a perfect two-inning spring outing that featured no runs, hits or walks and a pair of strikeouts.
National League East
6 of 6
Atlanta Braves: RHP Kyle Wright
The Atlanta Braves have a gaggle of young players to look at this spring, including touted outfielder Ronald Acuna.
In the early going, another name jumps out: Kyle Wright.
The big right-hander flashed strikeout stuff between the rookie leagues and High-A in 2017 and posted a scoreless inning with a strikeout in his spring debut.
"Coming in, it was a little intimidating," Wright said, per David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "But at the end of the day it's baseball, it's the same game for as long as I've been playing it."
Miami Marlins: OF Monte Harrison
The Miami Marlins' new cost-cutting ownership group jettisoned the team's entire 2017 starting outfield as well as second baseman Dee Gordon this winter.
There are dark times ahead in South Beach, but the Fish did net some interesting prospects. That includes outfielder Monte Harrison, acquired from the Brewers in the trade for outfielder Christian Yelich.
The 22-year-old has two doubles and three RBI in his first four games with Miami.
"I'm trying to be a five-tool guy," Harrison said, per MLB.com's Joe Frisaro. "I'm trying to put every aspect of my tools on display."
New York Mets: INF Gavin Cecchini
Gavin Cecchini faces obstacles in his quest to make the New York Mets' Opening Day roster. It'll require a massive spring from the 2012 first-round pick.
The 24-year-old appears motivated. He's doubled, homered and drawn two walks in his first three games.
"It is tough, because I believe I should and can be a starter in the big leagues and help a team win," Cecchini said, per Mike Puma of the New York Post. "It's just kind of a tough situation with all the infielders and veterans that we have right now and I feel that I am big league ready at this moment, but that stuff is out of my control."
Philadelphia Phillies: SS J.P. Crawford
This is the season the Philadelphia Phillies hope shortstop J.P. Crawford earns his place.
The 16th overall pick in 2013, Crawford hit .243 in the minors in 2017 and an even less impressive .214 during a 23-game big league audition.
The 23-year-old has the offensive and defensive capabilities to be special, however, and he has three hits and two runs scored in five spring at-bats.
Washington Nationals: OF Victor Robles
With right fielder Bryce Harper entering a contract year, the Washington Nationals are surely forming contingency plans.
Plan A should revolve around speedy top prospect Victor Robles, whose skill set suggests star potential.
The 20-year-old debuted with the Nats in 2017 and made the division series roster. This spring, he's 4-for-10 with a pair of doubles and a stolen base.
That doesn't equate to, "Bryce who?" But it's a glimmer of post-Harper hope.
All statistics courtesy of Baseball Reference and MLB.com unless otherwise noted.
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