The MLB Pipeline will release its list of the Top 100 prospects for 2021 on Friday, January 29th. Before posting the top 100, we’ll examine the top 10 prospects for baseball at each position. Outfielder have won the Rookie of the Year Awards for three of the last four years: Aaron Judge (2017),
The MLB Pipeline will release its list of the Top 100 prospects for 2021 on Friday, January 29th. Before posting the top 100, we’ll examine the top 10 prospects for baseball at each position.
Outfielders have won Rookie of the Year Awards for three of the last four years: Aaron Judge (2017), Ronald Acuña (2018) and Kyle Lewis (2020). It’s possible they could sweep the rookie hardware in ’21.
Randy Arozarena has had a debut Rays season battling .281 / .382 / .641 in 23 games before increasing those numbers to .377 / .442 / .831 during a memorable run to the World Series in October . Cristian Pache (Braves), Dylan Carlson (Cardinals) and Alex Kirilloff (Twins) also appeared in the 2020 playoffs. Kirilloff was just one of five players to ever make his post-season MLB debut.
Jarred Kelenic (Mariners) has not yet appeared in the majors, but he’s also a leading contender for the Rookie of the Year award in 2021. He’s the best outfield expert in baseball, just ahead of fellow organizer Julio Rodríguez who got a chance in addition, as a 20-year-old, he has to advance to Seattle this season.
The top 10 (ETA)
1. Jarred Kelenic, Mariners (2021)
2. Julio Rodríguez, Mariners (2022)
3. Cristian Pache, Braves (2021)
4. Dylan Carlson, Cardinals (2021)
5. JJ Bleday, Marlins (2021)
6. Riley Greene, Tiger (2022)
7. Alex Kirilloff, twins (2021)
8. Jasson Dominguez, Yankees (2024)
9. Randy Arozarena, Rays (2021)
10. Drew Waters, Braves (2021)
Full list “
Top tools
Results: Kelenic (65)
The top high school hitter in the 2018 draft, Kelenic, proved to be even more advanced than originally thought when the Mets picked him sixth overall in June – only to be awarded six months later in the Robinson Canó / Edwin Díaz deal to send to the Mariners. He fought with 23 homers and 20 steals against .291 / .364 / .443 and reached Double-A shortly after his 20th birthday in 19, his first full professional season. He has a quick left-handed swing, a tremendous sense of the run and a professional approach.
Power: Rodriguez (65)
Just as early as Kelenic, Rodríguez reached Class A Advanced in 2019 at the age of 18, when he played 12 home runs in 84 games against .326 / .390 / .540. He’s an advanced batsman for his age with a lot of strength and stroke speed, and he could produce 40 homers a season once he starts to get the ball up in the air more consistently. Kelenic is a better batsman while Rodríguez has more pop, but both of them will excel on either side.
Run: Pache (70)
Pache’s plus-plus speed currently plays better in midfield than on the bases. Despite stealing 32 Class A bases in 2017, he was only successful 15 times in 34 attempts over the next two minor league seasons.
Arm: Pache (70)
Pache has an exceptionally strong arm for a midfielder who deserves plus-plus grades and allows him to make a big impression in any outfield position. Minor leaguers quickly learned not to test him, but he still has 42 templates in 423 games.
Field: Pache (80)
Pache has been a mainstay of the MLB Pipeline’s all-defense team since 2017 and has been considered the best minors defender for almost as long. He increases his speed through outstanding instincts that allow him to get to balls that most players cannot. The Braves valued his defensive ability to keep him in the 2020 playoffs over triple Gold Glove Award winner Ender Inciarte.
Superlatives
Highest ceiling: Dominguez
Signed for $ 5.1 million from the Dominican Republic in July 2019, Dominguez is the most hyped and best-endowed international prospect in recent years. He has the potential for well above average tools across the board and has the advanced instincts and skills to get the most out of them.
Top floor: Kelenic
In the worst case scenario, Kelenic should be a real outfield player who hits .280 annually with 20 homers. He also comes with a high ceiling as he could be a midfielder who wins punch titles and posts 30-30 seasons.
Rookie of the Year Award Candidate: Carlson
Carlson is one of the favorites in the National League, as is Arozarena in the American League. The former fought in the major leagues in his first three weeks, then returned to the alternate camp, and returned in the last 10 days to hit .278 / .325 / .611, including a critical homer ahead of Corbin Burnes. He also did well in the Wild Card series, sealing almost an everyday job for 2021.
Highest climber: Arozarena
Last January, the Rays took the industry by surprise when they traded 2018 first-rate classic Matthew Liberatore for the Cardinals for a pair of apparent fourth outfielder at Arozarena and José Martinez. Arozarena has since sharpened its profile significantly and overcame a summer battle with the coronavirus to set MLB records for hits (29) and homers (10) in a single postseason. He’s old by perspective (26 ahead of the 2021 season), but few players can match his combination of above-average raw performance and speed.
Most humble beginning: Arozarena
Those top 10 include five first-round picks, an additional first-round player, and four international big dollar signers, so Arozarena received the nod despite receiving a $ 1.25 million bonus in 2016 as a Cuban defector. He did not excel in his first two seasons with the Minors before they break out and repeat Triple-A in 2019.
Most to prove: Dominguez
For all of Dominguez’s exaggeration – and yes, we’ll mention again that he has been compared to stellar baseball athletes like Bo Jackson, Mickey Mantle, and Mike Trout – the fact remains that he doesn’t have to play a pro just yet.
Keep an eye out: Zac Veen, Rockies
Veen, the 2020 draft high school prospect, finished ninth overall in the Rocky Mountains, signing $ 5 million. He projects for both power and average and has made offensive comparisons with Cody Bellinger.
