Top Prospects Tracker 2021

TOP PROSPECTS for Each Team

Here is my list of prospects and their chances of making it to the big league club soon.

Prospects AL EAST

Blue Jays (4)
10. Nate Pearson, RHP (ETA: 2021) updated 3/4/21 Grade 1 strain to his right groin no timeframe for return
22. Austin Martin, SS/OF (ETA: 2022)
46. Jordan Groshans, SS (ETA: 2022)
87. Simeon Woods Richardson, RHP (ETA: 2021)

Pearson is penciled into the rotation already for this year. Austin Martin was the best college hitter in the last draft. He might jump into service one earlier than expected. 

Orioles (5)
2. Adley Rutschman, C (ETA: 2021)
27. Grayson Rodriguez, RHP (ETA: 2022)
69. Heston Kjerstad, LHP (ETA: 2023)
70. DL Hall, LHP (ETA: 2022)
77. Ryan Mountcastle, OF/1B (ETA: 2021)

Rutschman is a stud prospect of gigantic proportions and Mountcastle exudes power. both get chance out the ying-yang in 2021. 

Rays (8)
1. Wander Franco, SS (ETA: 2021) sent to AAA
19. Luis Patiño, RHP (ETA: 2021)
34. Randy Arozarena, OF (ETA: 2021)
50. Vidal Brujan, 2B/SS (ETA: 2021)
72. Brendan McKay, LHP (ETA: 2021)
84. Shane McClanahan, LHP (ETA: 2021)
85. Xavier Edwards, 2B/SS (ETA: 2022) sent to AAA
90. Shane Baz, RHP (ETA: 2022) sent to AAA

Red Sox (3)
44. Triston Casas, 1B (ETA: 2022)
49. Jeter Downs, SS/2B (ETA: 2021)
93. Bobby Dalbec, 3B/1B

Being down in 2021 will give Downs and Dalbec to Fenway this year.

Yankees (2)
32. Jasson Dominguez, OF (ETA: 2024)
88. Clarke Schmidt, RHP (ETA: 2021)

Prospects AL CENTRAL

Indians (3)
36. Nolan Jones, 3B (ETA: 2021)
51. Triston McKenzie, RHP (ETA: 2021)
98. Tyler Freeman, SS (ETA: 2022)

McKenzie already made his impression last year and Jones will be given the chance he needs to play every day. 

Royals (3)
7. Bobby Witt Jr., SS (ETA: 2022) assigned to AAA
29. Daniel Lynch, LHP (ETA: 2021)
30. Asa Lacy, LHP (ETA: 2022)

Lefthanders needed. The Royals need tons of help and both Lacy and Lynch can fill some voids for Kansas City.

Tigers (5)
3. Spencer Torkelson, 3B/1B (ETA: 2022)
11. Casey Mize, RHP (ETA: 2021)
21. Riley Greene, OF (ETA: 2022)
24. Tarik Skubal, LHP (ETA: 2021)
25. Matt Manning, RHP (ETA: 2021)

Twins (4)
17. Royce Lewis, SS (ETA: 2021) updated 2/23/21 has been diagnosed with a tear in his right knee’s anterior cruciate ligament and will require surgery. The procedure comes with an expected recovery time of at least nine months.
26. Alex Kirilloff, OF/1B (ETA: 2021) he was optioned to alternate training site on 3/23/21
80. Trevor Larnach, OF (ETA: 2021)
97. Jordan Balazovic, RHP (ETA: 2022)

Kirilloff was in the postseason in 2020. Top prospects Lewis and Larnach are likely to see plenty of chances to play big league baseball this year. 

White Sox (4)
14. Andrew Vaughn, 1B (ETA: 2021)
39. Michael Kopech, RHP (ETA: 2021)
40. Nick Madrigal, 2B (ETA: 2021)
56. Garrett Crochet, LHP (ETA: 2021)

The White Sox have so much young talent on their roster that it is ridiculous. Vaughn and Kopech have very high ceilings. All of these prospects will play in 2021.

Prospects AL WEST

Angels (2)
53. Brandon Marsh, OF (ETA: 2021)
74. Reid Detmers, LHP (ETA: 2022)

Detmers had a strong showing in the prospects Arizona Fall League. He will have to wait. 

A’s (0)

A.J. Puk came off the list due to health concerns. 

Astros (1)
41. Forrest Whitley, RHP (ETA: 2021)

Whitley will have Tommy John surgery and miss all of 2021.

Mariners (6)
4. Jarred Kelenic, OF (ETA: 2021) optioned to AAA on 2/26/21
5. Julio Y. Rodriguez, OF (ETA: 2022) optioned to AAA on 3/26/21
31. Emerson Hancock, RHP (ETA: 2022)
33. Logan Gilbert, RHP (ETA: 2021)
92. George Kirby, RHP (ETA: 2021)
100. Taylor Trammell, OF (ETA: 2021)

Seattle keeps stocking up on top prospects. The pitchers are more likely needed than the position players in 2021. Kelenic may make the opening day roster.

63. Josh Jung, 3B (ETA: 2021)
78. Sam Huff, C (ETA: 2021)
91. Dane Dunning, RHP (ETA: 2021)

Jung and Huff came over in the Lance Lynn deal and each have a special kind of bat for the Rangers.

Prospects NL EAST

Braves (4)
12. Cristian Pache, OF (ETA: 2021)
18. Ian Anderson, RHP (ETA: 2021)
35. Drew Waters, OF (ETA: 2021) Assigned to AAA Gwinnett to start 2021
73. Shea Langeliers, C (ETA: 2022)

Marlins (5)
15. Sixto Sánchez, RHP (ETA: 2021)
20. JJ Bleday, OF (ETA: 2021)
28. Max Meyer, RHP (ETA: 2022)
66. Jazz Chisholm, SS/2B (ETA: 2021)
68. Edward Cabrera, RHP (ETA: 2021)

Sanchez and Chisholm each played in the postseason last year. Each of these players are great talents and the Marlins are on the rise. 

Mets (4)
48. Francisco Alvarez, C (ETA: 2023)
67. Ronny Mauricio, SS (ETA: 2022)
75. Matthew Allan, RHP (ETA: 2023)
94. Brett Baty, 3B (ETA: 2022)

Alvarez is still a teenager and loaded with talent. All he needs is more time to develop and could be top end of the rotation in a few years. 

Nationals (1)
99. Cade Cavalli, RHP (ETA: 2022)

The Nationals are void of top talent due to trades but top prospect Cavalli is a year away with his electric stuff. 

Phillies (2)
42. Spencer Howard, RHP (ETA: 2021)
76. Mick Abel, RHP (ETA: 2024)

Howard struggled in his time up last season with with a 5.92 ERA in 24 1/3 innings over six starts. They may wait until a spot is desperately needed before he is back on the hill of the Phillies.

Prospects NL CENTRAL

Brewers (2)
65. Garrett Mitchell, OF (ETA: 2023)
96. Brice Turang (ETA: 2022)

The farm system top players has been dwindling for Milwaukee but these two are former Brewers #1 picks. Mitchell may get an early up with the retirement of Ryan Braun. 

Cardinals (3)
13. Dylan Carlson, OF (ETA: 2021)
37. Matthew Liberatore, LHP (ETA: 2022)
38. Nolan Gorman, 3B (ETA: 2022)

Carlson is already a starter for the Cardinals and batted clean-up in the postseason. Gorman got blocked by the addition of Nolan Arenado.

Cubs (3)
60. Brailyn Marquez, LHP (ETA: 2021)
61. Brennen Davis, OF (ETA: 2022)
89. Miguel Amaya, C (ETA: 2021)

The Cubs could use some more help on the mound in 2021 and Brailyn Marquez may be a pleasant surprise for them . He made his debut late in September last season and was a bit wild but nerves are likely. He is the real deal and could get the roster spot from Spring Training.

Pirates (4)
9. Ke’Bryan Hayes, 3B (ETA: 2021)
43. Nick Gonzales, 2B (ETA: 2022)
52. Quinn Priester, RHP (ETA: 2023)
64. Oneil Cruz, SS (ETA: 2022)

Hayes is already on the field and is a competitor for Rookie of the year with Carlson of the Cardinals.  He will play.

Reds (4)

59. Nick Lodolo, LHP (ETA: 2021)
71. Hunter Greene, RHP (ETA: 2022)
86. Austin Hendrick, OF (ETA: 2024)
95. Tyler Stephenson, C (ETA: 2021)

Nick Lodolo finds his time has come to take the field in the major leagues. He was a 3 -year starter at Texas Christian University  and was the top pitcher taken in the draft.

Prospects NL WEST

D-backs (4)
47. Corbin Carroll, OF (ETA: 2022)
55. Kristian Robinson, OF (ETA: 2022)
79. Geraldo Perdomo, SS (ETA: 2021)
81. Alek Thomas, OF (ETA: 2022)

Geraldo Perdomo finds Nick Ahmed in his spot on the big league team but competition in the minors has been eliminated because the prospects in front of him, Jazz Chisholm, was traded to the Marlins. The prospect behind him, Liover Peguero, was traded to the Dodgers.

Dodgers (2)

57. Keibert Ruiz, C (ETA: 2021)
58. Josiah Gray, RHP (ETA: 2021)

Giants (4)
16. Marco Luciano, SS (ETA: 2023)
23. Joey Bart, C (ETA: 2021)
82. Heliot Ramos, OF (ETA: 2021)
83. Hunter Bishop, OF (ETA: 2023)

This year prospect Joey Bart is expected to see the MLB field for the Giants but he is a backup to Buster Posey. Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi expects Joey to begin action and get his at-bats in Triple-A games. Bart has a power bat so the Giants may find a place for him sooner rather than later.

Padres (4)
6. MacKenzie Gore, LHP (ETA: 2021)
8. CJ Abrams, SS (ETA: 2022)
45. Luis Campusano, C (ETA: 2021)
62. Robert Hassell, OF (ETA: 2023)

Rockies (1)
54. Zac Veen, OF (ETA: 2024)

Growing up in Florida, prospect Veen always had a goal. He used to rid his bike to high school practice when he was not yet in Junior High. His first goal was to make the varsity as a freshmen. He made that goal. Now that he has been drafted, his goal is to become a league MVP. Keep an eye out for this kid. 

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