2018 Gulf Coast League Top 20 Prospects

Image credit: Ronny Mauricio (Photo by Tom Dipace)

SEE THE GCL TOP 20

It was a strong year for prospects in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, with a combination exciting Latin American signings making their pro debuts along with first-round picks getting off to fast starts.

Phillies shortstop Luis Garcia, Mets shortstop Ronny Mauricio and Yankees outfielder Antonio Cabello all ranked among the top 15 international prospects a year ago, signed for more than $1 million and immediately made a loud park in pro ball to rank as top prospects in the GCL. That’s with shortstop Wander Franco (Rays), outfielder Everson Pereira (Yankees) and righthander Eric Pardinho (Blue Jays) skipping the league to debut in the Rookie-level Appalachian League.

Rays lefthander Matthew Liberatore and Blue Jays infielder Jordan Groshans, both first-round picks, only boosted their stock after auspicious debuts.

The GCL Cardinals finished with the league’s best record (40-16) in the regular season, getting a boost in the final month of the season when they acquired outfielder Jhon Torres from the Indians. Torres, the No. 6 prospect on this list, hit .397/.493/.683 in 17 games with the Cardinals. However, they lost in the finals to the Tigers West, one of Detroit’s two teams in the league.