Five Potential Top-100 Baseball Prospects You Do Not Know About
With the MLB season fast approaching, the prospect community is buzzing with the arrival of new baseball cornerstones. While there are the established names on the MLB Pipeline list, The Top-100, the vast number of Top-100 talents that are not ranked on that elusive list has no limits. Depending on who you ask, you will get a slew of different and less publicized names that sit atop prospectors’ boards. While I find myself in the consciences of many in terms of the main Top-100 players (Gunnar Henderson, Elly De La Cruz) and the darling breakouts (Matt Mervis), there are few who many who do not fit the mold of a top impact prospect, yet. These following hitters are names that many need to pay attention to as the 2023 season starts and progresses.
Hao Yu Lee, 2B/SS, Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia signed Lee out of Taiwan for $570,000 during the 2020-21 international signing period (although not officially signed until June 2021). Lee, only 5’10, is not considered a power-hitting infielder like Astros star, Jose Altuve (Altuve was never considered that as a prospect, though), but rather an international version of Dustin Pedroia. Lee has a great hit tool. He is not a burner on the basepaths, however, he has the skill to steal 20 bags a season. Lee can play both 2B and SS. While he has ventured to 3B, his fielding percentage is not as impressive at the corner. Injuries have played a factor in Lee’s career thus far, and his size and limited power, have him slotted below the Top 100. I am more optimistic about Lee and his future. His contact ability will make him an everyday MLB player. While he does not scream star, Altuve nor Pedroia did not scream star either.
Deyvison De Los Santos, 1B/3B, Arizona Diamondbacks
De Los Santos has power ability that could make him a perennial 35-40 HR player. While he’s only 19, the Diamondbacks have a big middle-of-the-order bat at their disposal. Like most power hitters, De Los Santos has some swing-and-miss issues. His K/BB rate does not give us the best indication of a Carlos Santana-like batting eye. What has me most intrigued, as if it has not been stated enough, the power. DDLS is only 19 and stands 6’1. He slugged .506 in High-A ball. The transition to the upper minors will be telling as De Los Santos can really see his stock drop if the high K rate continues to deplete his on-base ability. I will take the chance on the best power-hitting 1B prospect in the Arizona system since Paul Goldschmidt.
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Milan Tolentino, INF, Cleveland Guardians
Tolentino torched Lo-A Lynchburg on his way to High-A Lake County. Considered a defensive SS, Cleveland, who knows a thing or two about developing quality defensive IF’s, was able to maximize Tolentino’s strengths and showcase some emerging new calling cards as well. Tolentino flashed a rather impressive display of hitting. At his best, the defense will always be the bread and butter. Tolentino might be the best defensive infield prospect the Guardians have had since Omar Vizquel. While he does not project for much power, his bat makes contact. Tolentino is a potential All-Star leadoff hitter, one who gets on base and steals bases. In my opinion, his glove will garner him consideration as a Top-150 prospect alone. If he can master the upper minors pitching, Tolentino, in the same vein as Ha Yu Lee, can be a mainstay at the major league level. Lee has a bit more development to him, while Tolentino seems like more of a prospect rounding into form. That form warrants Tolentino a lot of consideration as a top prospect.
Walking Cabrera, OF, Seattle Mariners
Cabrera will not make the majors because of his bat. He has one of the most unorthodox stances in all the minors. Cabrera does have high power upside (27 2B’s in 2022), yet, he strikes out more than he walks and does not make consistent contact. He is not the most prolific base stealer. Why is he on this list? Cabrera is, without question, the best defensive outfielder in baseball. I have seen him make so many spectacular plays in person, I am basically just chalking off the spectacular as normal. I am not saying Cabrera is an MLB everyday player as the bat and batting stance cause me concern. I am saying he is an MLB ready Gold Glove defender. If Seattle can tap into that hitting ability just a bit, watch out. Cabrera could just catapult himself into a Top prospect in Seattle.
Yanquiel Fernandez, OF, Colorado Rockies
Fernandez potentially playing half of his games at Coors Field is a scary thought for any opposing team. Fernandez hit 21 HR’s with 109 RBI’s in Lo-A Modesto with 135 hits. Like De Los Santos, Fernandez has concerns over his K rate. While I firmly believe he has a high ceiling as an MLB HR leader, I want to see a bit more speed. In the Cal League, Fernandez only accounted for 5 SBs. The Lo-A teams that make up that league have had some notorious base stealers, and Fernandez’s frame, 6’2 and 198, he could stand to be a bit more aggressive. In the end, this is a power-hitting OF prospect who could easily hit over 150 RBIs in an MLB season. SOLD.
These five names are just the tip of the iceberg in terms of breakout hitters in the minors. To put it simply, these are just the names I have scouted and like a lot more than most. There is a fair share of players not even in their organizations’ top 30 (Walking Cabrera being a prime example) that I am watching extensively.
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